KEYWORDS: Near infrared, Explosives, Chemical analysis, Image fusion, Standoff detection, Spectroscopy, Scattering, Data fusion, Imaging spectroscopy, Near infrared spectroscopy
A novel and low-cost technique of standoff detection is presented that permits the detection of explosives and other
contraband substances that are hidden under clothing at standoff distances . The technique uses NIR beams of
wavelengths found in ordinary domestic remote controls, combined with various signal recovery techniques commonly
used in astronomy. This alternative technique, whilst sophisticated, utilises readily available optoelectronic components.
It is inherently far more portable than currently available commercial alternatives and is easy to use. A pre-production
prototype successfully detected and identified the common homemade explosives, ammonium nitrate and hydrogen
peroxide, which were concealed behind clothing from a distance of 5 metres under daytime conditions. In principle, this
distance could be extended as far as 50 metres without a significant increase in cost or complexity. Another advantage of
this device is that apart from providing standoff chemical signatures and analyses of concealed substances, this it can
simultaneously superimpose the chemical information on top of a normal TV image in a data fusion approach; that is, an
image appears on the screen , the area/subject of interest can be zoomed in on and enlarged and a representation of a
chemical spectrum appears on the screen underneath the image. A supplemental technique is also reported upon that,
under the appropriate circumstances, enable actual imaging of concealed objects to be accomplished.
KEYWORDS: Near infrared, Terahertz radiation, Defense and security, Chemical analysis, Tissues, Electronics, Imaging systems, Signal detection, Control systems, Information security
A novel technique of NIR imaging is presented that gives access to most of the applications currently published as being solely suitable for Terahertz (THz) waves. The technique uses NIR beams wavelengths found in ordinary domestic remote controls (circa 850 nm) and various signal recovery techniques commonly found in astronomy. This alternative technique can be realised by very simple and inexpensive electronics and is inherently far more portable and easy to use and no special sources are required. Transmission imaging results from this technique are presented from several industrial examples and various security applications and are compared and contrasted directly with their THz-derived counterparts. It would appear possible to very cheaply and simply emulate the performance of commercial terahertz systems at a fraction of the cost and with greatly reduced processing times Another advantage is that apart from imaging, this technique affords the means to provide simultaneous in-situ chemical-bond analysis for stand-off detection of certain chemical signatures - for example, those found in drugs and explosives (both molecular and oxidiser based). Also, unlike THz, this technique can penetrate bulk water and high humidity atmospheres and be used in transmission mode on biological and medical samples. Several results are presented of non-ionising X-ray type images that even differentiate between separate types of soft tissue
KEYWORDS: Near infrared, Terahertz radiation, Defense and security, Chemical analysis, Imaging spectroscopy, Tissues, Electronics, Imaging systems, Signal detection, Control systems
A novel technique of NIR imaging is presented that gives access to most of the applications currently published as being solely suitable for Terahertz (THz) waves. The technique uses NIR beams wavelengths found in ordinary domestic remote controls (circa 850 nm) and various signal recovery techniques commonly found in astronomy. This alternative technique can be realised by very simple and inexpensive electronics and is inherently far more portable and easy to use and no special sources are required. Transmission imaging results from this technique are presented from several industrial examples and various security applications and are compared and contrasted directly with their THz-derived counterparts. It would appear possible to very cheaply and simply emulate the performance of commercial terahertz systems at a fraction of the cost and with greatly reduced processing times Another advantage is that apart from imaging, this technique affords the means to provide simultaneous in-situ chemical-bond analysis for stand-off detection of certain chemical signatures - for example, those found in drugs and explosives (both molecular and oxidiser based). Also, unlike THz, this technique can penetrate bulk water and high humidity atmospheres and be used in transmission mode on biological and medical samples. Several results are presented of non-ionising X-ray type images that even differentiate between separate types of soft tissue
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