Miniaturized Photonic Sensor Devices for Real

Time Explosive Detection

W. Schade1, C. Bauer1, R. Orghici1, S. Waldvogel2 and S. Börner1

Abstract New possibilites of diagnostic in the field of explosive detection are

described applying noval photonic sensor devices using evanescent field spectroscopy
and nano-dimensioned waveguides in combination with miniaturized lasers such
as microchiplasers or quantum cascade lasers. A new concept is developed which
allows the identification of TNT by using a fiber optic evanescent-field sensor.

Keywords Detection of explosives, evanescent-field spectroscopy, photonic

sensor devices

1 Introduction

The clearance of mine fields and the detection of improvised explosive devices
(IEDs) in conflict areas, as well as the threat posed on common welfare by terrorist
attempts have increasingly become focal points of interest in recent years. In spite
of technical progress anti-personnel mines are retrieved conventionally with metal
detectors and mine prodders, and the search for explosives during inspection of
baggage and persons is done in most cases still randomly. Novel photonic sensor
devices applying evanescent field spectroscopy and nano-dimensioned waveguides
in combination with miniaturized lasers such as microchiplasers or quantum cas-
cade lasers reveal entirely new possibilities for diagnostics [1].
One application of evanescent-field-spectroscopy is the detection of explosives,
e.g. TNT (Trinitrotoluene) which is commonly used by the military and is a major
component of most landmines. It is also highly toxic and carcinogenic. The detection

1
Technische Universität Clausthal, LaserAnwendungsCentrum (LAC)Arnold-Sommerfeld-St. 6,
D-38678 Clausthal, Germany
2
Universität Bonn, Kekulé-Institut für Organische Chemie und Biochemie,
D-53121 Bonn, Germany

H. Schubert and A. Kuznetsov (eds.), Detection of Liquid Explosives and Flammable 215
Agents in Connection with Terrorism, 215–225.
© Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2008
216 W. Schade et al.

of this kind of explosive is very difficult due to its low vapour pressure. A new con-
cept is developed which allows the identification of TNT by using a fiber optic eva-
nescent-field-sensor that has been coated with a receptor film (triphenylene-based
ketals). The receptor molecules bind selectively with the TNT molecules in a kind of
key lock system which causes a change in optical properties of the coating and thus
a reduction of signal intensity when light is guided through the fiber. In this way
the selective and sensitive identification of TNT molecules is possible. The evanes-
cent field effect can significantly be enhanced when nanowires with a diameter of
hundreds of nanometers are used for light guiding. This opens new possibilities for
miniaturized photonic sensor devices.

2 Basics of Absorption and Evanescent-Field Spectroscopy

The operation principle of an evanescent-field-sensor is based on the total internal

reflection at the interface between two media with different index of refraction. The
light that has undergone total internal reflection penetrates into the less refractive
medium. An evanescent wave is built parallel to the interface and its electric field
amplitude within the less refractive medium decreases exponentially with distance
normal to the surface. The established electric field is called the evanescent field.
However, if the optically less refractive medium is non-absorbing, no energy loss
along the surface is measured. If this medium is an absorbing one, the intensity of
the evanescent wave is attenuated and the transmitted power is reduced. These
losses are caused by changes in refractive index (frustrated total reflection) and in
absorption coefficient (attenuated total reflection) in the vicinity of a molecular
resonance and can be used as signature for detecting specific species.
In standard direct absorption spectroscopy the Beer-Lambert law is applicable
around a given absorption line. It describes the relationship between the intensities
of light before and after interaction with the absorbing medium:

I (λ ) = I 0 (λ ) ⋅ e − a ( λ ) ⋅C L

where I0 is the incident intensity, I is the transmitted intensity, ·a(l) is the attenua-
tion coefficient, l is the wavelength, C is the concentration of the absorbing species
present in the medium and L is the length of the sensing region.
The extinction which can be used to determine the concentration of the species
is given by:

I (λ )
− ln = a( λ ) ⋅ C ⋅ L (1)
I 0 (λ )
If absorption is the only loss mechanism, the attenuation coefficient can be replaced
by the absorption coefficient α(λ) and the concentration can be determined by line
shape analysis. However, for evanescent-field-spectroscopy the decrease in intensity