Real-time stand-off detection of improvised explosive materials using time-gated UV–Raman spectroscopy

A transportable, trolley-mounted stand-off explosive material detection system based on the time-gated Raman spectroscopy was developed and tested in our laboratory. This system is capable of identifying the explosives and improvised explosive materials located up to a distance of 30 m. A frequency tripled Nd:YAG, nanosecond pulsed laser (355 nm, 6 ns) operated at 10 Hz was used as an excitation source to induce Raman spectra of explosive materials under investigation. A reflected type 200 mm aperture telescope designed using Zemax optical design software was used to collect the backscattered Raman signals. Raman signals were recorded using the gated intensified charge coupled device (ICCD) spectrograph. A LabVIEW-based data acquisition and analysis software for real-time identification of materials was developed and used. It gives audio as well as text alarm to the operator about threat identification.