Infrared near-field spectroscopy of trace explosives using an external cavity quantum cascade laser

Opt Express. 2013 Dec 16;21(25):30401-14. doi: 10.1364/OE.21.030401.

Abstract

Utilizing a broadly-tunable external cavity quantum cascade laser for scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM), we measure infrared spectra of particles of explosives by probing characteristic nitro-group resonances in the 7.1-7.9 µm wavelength range. Measurements are presented with spectral resolution of 0.25 cm(-1), spatial resolution of 25 nm, sensitivity better than 100 attomoles, and at a rapid acquisition time of 90 s per spectrum. We demonstrate high reproducibility of the acquired s-SNOM spectra with very high signal-to-noise ratios and relative noise of <0.02 in self-homodyne detection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Explosive Agents / analysis*
  • Lasers*
  • Microchemistry / instrumentation*
  • Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared / instrumentation*
  • Transducers*

Substances

  • Explosive Agents