The detection, classification and tracking of chemical agents (explosives) being surreptitiously smuggled into public
areas, such as airports, for destructive purposes is difficult to solve by unobtrusive means. We propose the use of a
novel Alkaline Energy Cell (AEC) with gas/vapor sniffing capability as a potential solution. Variants of such devices
are routinely used by police to detect alcohol emanating from the breath of suspected impaired vehicle drivers. We
reported previously at the SPIE Symposium in 2007 the details of our technology and results. We have continued to
advanced this capability with the development of an AEC which is capable of detecting gaseous emissions ultimately in
the parts per billion range. Our work is described in terms of detecting TATP (acetone peroxide). Other explosive
materials have also been investigated and will be reported on.
The detection, classification and tracking of chemical agents (explosives) being surreptitiously smuggled into public
areas, such as airports, for destructive purposes is difficult to solve by unobtrusive means. We propose the use of a
novel energy cell with gas/vapor sniffing capability. Variants of such devices are routinely used by police to detect
alcohol emanating from the breath of suspected impaired vehicle drivers. We have advanced this technology with the
development of a Pethanol Alkaline Energy Cell which is capable of reading gaseous emissions ultimately in the parts
per billion range. Our work is described in terms of detecting TATAP (acetone peroxide).
Identifies a high-Tc temperature-transition edge, nonbolometric detector response in microstrip line device structures fabricated from thin films of Y1Ba2Cu3O7-x deposited on MgO single crystal substrates. Such detectors have an intrinsically fast response and in principle are capable of operating up to frequencies represented by the superconducting energy gap (terahertz region), if such an energy gap concept is applicable to these unique materials. The detector output, a dc output voltage across the device, is function of bias current and temperature, with an optimum temperature in the vicinity of the point at which zero resistance is reached (To). The mechanism for the detector action is believed to be related to the switching of the superconductor from its superconducting state to its normal state, driven by the input radiation, while the superconductor is held at a suitable current bias point and temperature. Both films made by the laser ablation process and chemical spray pyrolysis form detector elements. However, the films formed by these two techniques are vastly different morphologically. The extent to which film morphology influences detector performance has been examined in an effort to examine the so-called weak-link question. The Noise Equivalent Power (NEP) of a laser ablated detector has been estimated to be below -80 dbm for an operating condition of 70 K, frequency of 8 GHz and modulation of 60 KHz. The measurement limitation is extrinsic noise, and it is believed that these devices are extremely low noise, far better than possible with conventional Schottky diodes/p-n junctions, or Josephson-like SIS structures for that matter. Various other performance characteristics are presented, along with a suggested NSN model for electrical conduction.
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