An optical-fiber-based microsensor for explosives detection

Graham Walsh; Cunqiang Sun; Hai Xiao; Ning Liu; Junhang Dong; Van Romero

doi:10.1117/12.665572

18 May 2006 An optical-fiber-based microsensor for explosives detection

Graham Walsh, Cunqiang Sun, Hai Xiao, Ning Liu, Junhang Dong, Van Romero

Proceedings Volume 6217, Detection and Remediation Technologies for Mines and Minelike Targets XI; 62171L (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.665572
Event: Defense and Security Symposium, 2006, Orlando (Kissimmee), Florida, United States

Abstract

A new type of optical chemical sensor recently developed in our lab has been demonstrated for highly sensitive, in-situ detection of explosives. The sensor is comprised of a dense silica thin film grown on the straight-cut endface of a standard, 125μm telecommunication optical fiber. Silicalite is an all-silica MFI-type zeolite with an effective pore size of 0.55nm. MFI zeolite is highly hydrophobic and selectively adsorbs organics of appropriate molecular size. The sensor device operates through measuring the optical refractive index or optical thickness of the coated zeolite film which changes in response to the adsorption of molecular species in its crystalline structure. In this work, the sensor exhibited different responses to simulants including pxylene, o-xylene, and triisopropylbenzene and trinitrotoluene (TNT) trace vapor in helium carrier gas.

Citation Download Citation

Graham Walsh, Cunqiang Sun, Hai Xiao, Ning Liu, Junhang Dong, and Van Romero "An optical-fiber-based microsensor for explosives detection", Proc. SPIE 6217, Detection and Remediation Technologies for Mines and Minelike Targets XI, 62171L (18 May 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.665572

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available