RDX Remote Raman Detection on NATO SET-237 Samples

Kurzfassung

Ultraviolet Raman spectroscopy measurements have been performed at DLR Lampoldshausen to detect NATO SET-237 standard samples of RDX. The main goal was to quantify the minimum requirements for an unambiguous identification in remote detection (60 cm distance) with a commercial Czerny-Turner spectrometer coupled with a CCD camera. Well-defined distribution of explosives on surfaces were tested as standardized samples. Therefore, Raman spectra of RDX have been acquired for different sample concentrations (50, 250, and 1000 μg/cm2 respectively) and under several laser energies (1.5, 3.0 and 5.0 mJ/pulse respectively) at 355 nm excitation wavelength. The lowest possible reproducible surface concentration (50 µg/cm2) was detected with excitation energy of 3 mJ/pulse in the described configuration.