Abstract: A compact explosive detecting system collects explosive residues in the form of vapor powder. The residues are accumulated on a desorber which is subjected to pyrolysis to release a gaseous sample. The sample is pumped to a detecting system through a metering valve. A luminol cell reacts with the gaseous sample to create chemiluminescence, the light output of which is measured by a photo multiplier tube. The light intensity is indicative of the amount of explosive present. Based on the amount of explosive present, a metering valve is adjusted to pass the gaseous sample into a highly sensitive metal oxide sensor array to detect NO2 from nitrogen containing explosive and CO/CO2 from non nitrogen containing explosive. The metal oxide sensor array reliably selects explosives from those compounds indicating chemiluminescence.

Abstract: A compact explosive detecting system collects explosive residues in the form of vapor powder. The residues are accumulated on a desorber which is subjected to pyrolysis to release a gaseous sample. The sample is pumped to a detecting system through a metering valve. A luminol cell reacts with the gaseous sample to create chemiluminescence, the light output of which is measured by a photo multiplier tube. The light intensity is indicative of the amount of explosive present. Based on the amount of explosive present, a metering valve is adjusted to pass the gaseous sample into a highly sensitive metal oxide sensor array to detect NO2 from nitrogen containing explosive and CO/CO2 from non nitrogen containing explosive. The metal oxide sensor array reliably selects explosives from those compounds indicating chemiluminescence.

Abstract: A compact explosive detecting system collects explosive residues in the form of vapor powder. The residues are accumulated on a desorber which is subjected to pyrolysis to release a gaseous sample. The sample is pumped to a detecting system through a metering valve. A luminol cell reacts with the gaseous sample to create chemiluminescence, the light output of which is measured by a photo multiplier tube. The light intensity is indicative of the amount of explosive present. Based on the amount of explosive present, a metering valve is adjusted to pass the gaseous sample into a highly sensitive metal oxide sensor array to detect NO2 from nitrogen containing explosive and CO/CO2 from non nitrogen containing explosive. The metal oxide sensor array reliably selects explosives from those compounds indicating chemiluminescence.

Abstract: A compact explosive detecting system collects explosive residues in the form of vapor powder. The residues are accumulated on a desorber which is subjected to pyrolysis to release a gaseous sample. The sample is pumped to a detecting system through a metering valve. A luminol cell reacts with the gaseous sample to create chemiluminescence, the light output of which is measured by a photo multiplier tube. The light intensity is indicative of the amount of explosive present. Based on the amount of explosive present, a metering valve is adjusted to pass the gaseous sample into a highly sensitive metal oxide sensor array to detect NO2 from nitrogen containing explosive and CO/CO2 from non nitrogen containing explosive. The metal oxide sensor array reliably selects explosives from those compounds indicating chemiluminescence.

Abstract: A method of and system for analyzing ion mobility of a sample. The sample is received by an ionization chamber, which ionizes molecules of the sample. The ionized sample is received from the ionization chamber by a drift tube coupled to the ionization chamber and propelled along a length of the drift tube in a first direction away from the ionization chamber by an electric field gradient of the drift tube. A magnitude of the electric field gradient is in view of an atmospheric pressure measurement. A drift gas is propelled through the drift tube in a second direction opposite the first direction such that different types of ionized molecules travel through the drift tube at different rates. An arrival time of each of the different types of molecules at a detector located at a second end of the drift tube opposite the first end is detected.

Abstract: A method of and system for analyzing ion mobility of a sample. The sample is received by an ionization chamber, which ionizes molecules of the sample. The ionized sample is received from the ionization chamber by a drift tube coupled to the ionization chamber and propelled along a length of the drift tube in a first direction away from the ionization chamber by an electric field gradient of the drift tube. A magnitude of the electric field gradient is in view of an atmospheric pressure measurement. A drift gas is propelled through the drift tube in a second direction opposite the first direction such that different types of ionized molecules travel through the drift tube at different rates. An arrival time of each of the different types of molecules at a detector located at a second end of the drift tube opposite the first end is detected.

Abstract: A compact scanning apparatus has an infrared laser adapted to emit light. The light is delivered as a beam by an optical system to illuminate an interrogation area on the surface of an object being scanned. Such illumination has sufficient intensity and duration to cause selective desorption of molecules of the contraband substance, which are present on the surface, without substantially damaging the surface. A collection system collects at least a portion of the desorbed molecules. At least a portion of the collected molecules is thermally decomposed to form NO2 and transferred to a reaction cell containing an aqueous, alkaline, luminol-containing solution. The NO2 reacts with the luminol to produce light by chemiluminescence. A light detector registers the presence of this light as indicative of the detection of the contraband substance, and activates a signaling device to provide an audible or visible alarm.

Abstract: A compact scanning apparatus has an infrared laser adapted to emit light. The light is delivered as a beam by an optical system to illuminate an interrogation area on the surface of an object being scanned to cause selective desorption of molecules of the contraband substance, which are present on the surface, without substantially damaging the surface. A collection system collects at least a portion of the desorbed molecules. At least a portion of the collected molecules is thermally decomposed to form NO2 and transferred to a reaction cell containing an aqueous, alkaline, luminol-containing solution. The NO2 reacts with the luminol to produce light by chemiluminescence. A light detector registers the presence of this light to carry out a rapid screening of the object for the possible presence of the contraband substance. The apparatus further includes a supplemental detector such as a GC/IMS detector that is activated in response to the detection of the chemiluminescent light.

Abstract: A compact scanning apparatus includes an optical system to deliver a beam of pulsed infrared laser light that illuminate an interrogation area of a surface. The illumination has sufficient intensity and duration to cause selective ablation of molecules of a contraband substance present on the surface without substantially damaging the surface. A collection system collects at least a portion of the ablated molecules and transfers them to a chemical analysis system having a detector. In response to the presence of a wide variety of contraband substance molecules, the detector outputs an electrical signal that activates an audible or visible alarm. Automated screening is provided in an accurate, reliable manner that virtually eliminates the vagaries of human performance. False alarms are reduced. Detection efficacy is increased. A traceable residue of the detected contraband is left on the article for subsequent forensic analysis.

Abstract: A compact scanning apparatus includes an optical system to deliver a beam of pulsed infrared laser light that illuminate an interrogation area of a surface. The illumination has sufficient intensity and duration to cause selective ablation of molecules of a contraband substance present on the surface without substantially damaging the surface. A collection system collects at least a portion of the ablated molecules and transfers them to a chemical analysis system having a detector. In response to the presence of a wide variety of contraband substance molecules, the detector outputs an electrical signal that activates an audible or visible alarm. Automated screening is provided in an accurate, reliable manner that virtually eliminates the vagaries of human performance. False alarms are reduced. Detection efficacy is increased. A traceable residue of the detected contraband is left on the article for subsequent forensic analysis.

Abstract: A compact scanning apparatus has an infrared laser adapted to emit light. The light is delivered as a beam by an optical system to illuminate an interrogation area on the surface of an object being scanned to cause selective desorption of molecules of the contraband substance, which are present on the surface, without substantially damaging the surface. A collection system collects at least a portion of the desorbed molecules. At least a portion of the collected molecules is thermally decomposed to form NO2 and transferred to a reaction cell containing an aqueous, alkaline, luminol-containing solution. The NO2 reacts with the luminol to produce light by chemiluminescence. A light detector registers the presence of this light to carry out a rapid screening of the object for the possible presence of the contraband substance. The apparatus further includes a supplemental detector such as a GC/IMS detector that is activated in response to the detection of the chemiluminescent light.

Abstract: A compact scanning apparatus has an infrared laser adapted to emit light. The light is delivered as a beam by an optical system to illuminate an interrogation area on the surface of an object being scanned. Such illumination has sufficient intensity and duration to cause selective desorption of molecules of the contraband substance, which are present on the surface, without substantially damaging the surface. A collection system collects at least a portion of the desorbed molecules. At least a portion of the collected molecules is thermally decomposed to form NO2 and transferred to a reaction cell containing an aqueous, alkaline, luminol-containing solution. The NO2 reacts with the luminol to produce light by chemiluminescence. A light detector registers the presence of this light as indicative of the detection of the contraband substance, and activates a signaling device to provide an audible or visible alarm.