Detection of Explosives and Biological Warfare Agents using Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance

Bonnie Hammond

Mentor: Jeff Schiano

 

    There is an acute need for a system that can detect biological threat materials and explosives in luggage or carried by an individual entering a protected area or crossing a protected border. We are developing technology based on quadrupole resonance (QR) that reveals the presence of anthrax spores and/or explosives within sealed containers. QR systems detect and discriminate specific nitrogen compounds. They perform this task using a search coil similar to those found in metal detectors. After the coil emits an oscillating magnetic field at a frequency identified with a specific nitrogen compound, it then detects a return signal if the target compound is present. QR detection systems present no health hazards to nearby workers and will not damage sensitive materials.

    Our primary research objective is to increase the probability of correct detection and reduce the false alarm rate while simultaneously minimizing the detection time. To achieve this goal we use feedback control concepts to automatically optimize detection performance, are developing low-power detection methods, and employ high-temperature superconducting search coils that significantly improve the signal-to-noise ratio.