Journal des lasers, optiques et photoniques

Quantum Laser Sensor for Defence and Security

Abstract

Ramesh C. Sharma*, Subodh Kumar, Abhishek Parmar, Neeraj Bhargava, Ajay Kumar and Binoy K Das

In present scenario, there is an urgent need to develop technologies and devices for Defense and Security applications to not just maintain the sovereignty of international boarders but also to safeguard the countrymen from hostile terror forces within the homeland. In the present paper, results of detection studies for Improvised Explosive Devices (homemade explosive), Chemical Warfare Agents, (CWA) and drugs have been presented. Quantum Cascade Laser having wavelength in mid-IR region (wave number region ~ 900 to 1400 cm-1) has been utilized in the study as explosives and CWA have strong absorption in the region. The Quantum Cascade Laser has advantages of compact size and relatively smaller weight in comparison to other sources working in the same wavelength region. The detection limit of the setup has been measured. The detection technique presented here is immune to the interferences by sonic or other electromagnetic waves present in the surrounding atmosphere making the technology suitable for Defence, Security and forensic purposes.