Detection of chemical contraband using spectroscopic microwave imaging

David G. Falconer; David G. Watters

doi:10.1117/12.172509

1 February 1994 Detection of chemical contraband using spectroscopic microwave imaging

David G. Falconer, David G. Watters

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 2093, Substance Identification Analytics; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.172509
Event: Substance Identification Technologies, 1993, Innsbruck, Austria

Abstract

We have developed and demonstrated a microwave technique for detecting high explosives, illegal drugs, and other chemical contraband in checked airline baggage. Our technique isolates suspicious materials using microwave tomography and identifies chemical contraband using microwave spectroscopy. Measurements in the frequency range 2 - 18 GHz indicate that microwave energy will penetrate nonmetallic suitcases and that contraband materials feature distinct dielectric spectra at these wavelengths. We have also formed microwave images of a soft-sided suitcase and its contents. After manually segmenting the microwave imagery, we successfully identified chemical simulants for both high explosives and illegal drugs.

Citation Download Citation

David G. Falconer and David G. Watters "Detection of chemical contraband using spectroscopic microwave imaging", Proc. SPIE 2093, Substance Identification Analytics, (1 February 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.172509

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