<p>The detection of IEDs is extremely challenging because the environment injects a large number of chemical compounds that mask the select few molecules that one is trying to detect, said Dantus.<br /><br />Dantus’ latest laser can make these distinctions even for quantities as small as a fraction of a billionth of a gram. The laser beam combines short pulses that kick the molecules and make them vibrate, as well as long pulses that are used to “listen” and identify the different “chords”. <br /><br />The chords include different vibrational frequencies that uniquely identify every molecule, much like a fingerprint. The high-sensitivity laser can work with cameras and allows users to scan questionable areas from a safe distance. <br /><br />“The laser was originally intended for microscopes, but we were able to broaden its use for detection of explosives,” said Dantus. <br /></p>
<p>The detection of IEDs is extremely challenging because the environment injects a large number of chemical compounds that mask the select few molecules that one is trying to detect, said Dantus.<br /><br />Dantus’ latest laser can make these distinctions even for quantities as small as a fraction of a billionth of a gram. The laser beam combines short pulses that kick the molecules and make them vibrate, as well as long pulses that are used to “listen” and identify the different “chords”. <br /><br />The chords include different vibrational frequencies that uniquely identify every molecule, much like a fingerprint. The high-sensitivity laser can work with cameras and allows users to scan questionable areas from a safe distance. <br /><br />“The laser was originally intended for microscopes, but we were able to broaden its use for detection of explosives,” said Dantus. <br /></p>