Quantum cascade laser based techniques for the detection of explosives, chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals

Worldwide occurrence of terrorist activities has made it imperative to use the best available technology for identifying and defeating terrorism involving improvised explosive devices (IED), chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and toxic industrial chemicals (TICs). Early and unequivocal detection of the explosives, CWAs and TICs require highly sensitive measurement techniques that are not confused by the presence of the multitude of interferents present in the normal environment. Furthermore, to minimize economic disruption, the detection of these substances must be carried out with very low probability of false alarms.