Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/11681/12093
Title: Single fiber measurements for remote optical detection of TNT
Authors: U.S. Army Toxic and Hazardous Materials Agency
Zhang, Yuke
Seitz, W. Rudolf
Sundberg, Donald C.
Keywords: Explosives
Fiber optics
Groundwater
Sensor
TNT
Water pollution
Publisher: Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (U.S.)
Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)
Series/Report no.: Special report (Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (U.S.)) ; 89-18.
Abstract: Abstract: Single fiber optical measurements have been used to follow changes in the color of an initially clear poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane, which reacts with aqueous 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) to form a colored product that absorbs strongly at 500 nm. Attempts to make this measurement via the effect of the colored product on the emission spectrum of a fluorophor incorporated into the PVC membrane were unsuccessful. However, single fiber absorption measurements were successful. Refractive index matching and a reflector behind the membrane to increase reflected intensity were essential to keeping the stray light levels small relative to the signal of interest. To compensate for drift, the reflected intensity at 500 nm is measured relative to the reflected intensity at 824 nm, a wavelength where intensity is not affected by color formation in the membrane. The rate at which the ratio of intensity at 500 nm to intensity at 824 nm increases is a function of TNT concentration. It is estimated that TNT levels below 0.10 ppm can be measured by this technique.
Description: Special Report
Rights: Approved for Public Release. Distribution is Unlimited.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/11681/12093
Appears in Collections:Special Report

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