This paper presents a detailed assessment of terahertz-frequency spectroscopy as a technique for the remote detection of biological warfare agents. Design studies are presented for a differential-absorption-radar (DAR) approach that utilizes the spectral signatures of Bacillus (B.) subtillus spores within the terahertz (THz) regime as the detection mechanism. The signature data used in these studies is taken from laboratory measurements performed on uniform thin films of B. Subtillus spores and the system performance is assessed for both incoherent and coherent detector modalities. These studies consider DAR remote sensing of biological (bin) clouds at significant ranges (i.e., 1 km) and include the effects of realistic atmospheric conditions. A high-level remote-sensor design is used to estimate the probabilities of detection (pd) and false-alarm (pfa) associated with this general technique. These studies suggest useful remote-detection performance can be achieved (i.e., pd > 0.9 & pra 10-4 for bio-cloud densities <103 cm-3) at 1 km ranges if the THz signature information remains predictably stable under varying atmospheric conditions (e.g., changes in humidity, spore activity state, etc). Furthermore, a realistic bio-agent airframe attack scenario is utilized to demonstrate standoff detection of bio-clouds with approximately 100% confidence while outside the threat-level concentrations. All together, these results demonstrate that standoff detection of bio-agents is feasible for threat-level concentrations in practical battlefield environments at sufficient ranges to provide for early warning.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Terahertz-frequency remote-sensing of biological warfare agents


    Contributors:
    Woolard, D.L. (author) / Brown, E.R. (author) / Samuels, A.C. (author) / Jensen, J.O. (author) / Globus, T. (author) / Gelmont, B. (author) / Wolski, M. (author)


    Publication date :

    2003


    Size :

    4 Seiten, 8 Quellen




    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English





    Destruction of chemical and biological warfare agents using a steam-plasma

    Farrar, L. / Haack, D. / McGrath, S. et al. | AIAA | 1999


    Mobile agents in network-centric warfare

    Ceruti, M.G. | Tema Archive | 2001


    The history of chemical warfare agents

    Sawicki, J. | Tema Archive | 1994


    Nanomaterials based decontaminants against chemical warfare agents

    Prasad, G.K. / Ramacharyulu, P.V.R.K. / Singh, Beer | Tema Archive | 2011