Energetic material detector

Abstract

A method of detecting energetic materials, such as explosives, includes energizing a sample area that contains particles of energetic materials. In the method, temperature characteristics from the sample area are monitored, and a temperature released from exothermic decomposition of the particles is detected. The method further includes analyzing the detected temperature to determine the presence of the exothermic compound which caused the decomposition.

1 . A method of detecting explosive materials, the method comprising
 providing energy to a sample area;   monitoring the sample area with a pixel-array detector;   detecting, based on the monitoring of the sample area with the pixel-array detector, a signature from decomposition of particles of the sample area;   analyzing the detected signature from the decomposition of the particles of the sample area; and   determining, based on the analyzing of the detected signature from the decomposition of the particles of the sample area, whether the particles of the sample area include one or more explosive materials.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein detecting the signature from the decomposition of the particles of the sample area includes detecting an energy release signature from the decomposition of the particles of the sample area. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein detecting the energy release signature from the decomposition of the particles of the sample area includes detecting a thermal energy release signature from the decomposition of the particles of the sample area. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each pixel of the pixel-array detector is configured to have a different instantaneous field of view. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein each pixel of the pixel-array detector is configured such that the pixel's instantaneous field of view centers on a different portion of the sample area. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein each pixel of the pixel-array detector is configured such that the pixel's instantaneous field of view includes a region of the sample area spanning 10 to 100 microns in diameter. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4  wherein each pixel of the pixel-array detector is configured such that the pixel's instantaneous field of view is between 50 and 150 microns in diameter. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein providing energy to the sample area includes resistively heating the sample area. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein resistively heating the sample area includes generating a current through a conductive collection material. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein generating the current through the conductive collection material includes generating a step current. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein determining whether the particles of the sample area include one or more explosive materials includes determining, based on the analyzing of the detected signature from the decomposition of the particles of the sample area, that triacetone triperoxide was present on the sample area. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein analyzing the detected signature includes analyzing energy data for the difference between an energy level of a first pixel and a background pixel. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein analyzing the detected signature includes analyzing a change of the signature with respect to time. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein analyzing the detected signature includes analyzing the detected signature to determine a heat of decomposition of a material that underwent anaerobic exothermic decomposition. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein analyzing the detected signature includes analyzing the detected signature to determine an activation energy of a material that underwent anaerobic exothermic decomposition. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising using a determined heat of decomposition or activation energy to determine a specific type or category of material that has undergone anaerobic exothermic decomposition at the sample area. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising lowering atmospheric oxygen available for combustion. 
     
     
         18 . A system for detecting explosive materials, the system comprising:
 a sample energizer configured to provide energy to a sample area;   a pixel-array detector configured to monitor the sample area and detect, based on the monitoring of the sample area, a signature from decomposition of particles of the sample area; and   an analyzing device configured to analyze the detected signature from the decomposition of the particles of the sample area and determine, based on the analyzing of the detected signature from the decomposition of the particles of the sample area, whether the particles of the sample area include one or more explosive materials.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein, to detect the signature from the decomposition of the particles of the sample area, the pixel-array detector is configured to detect an energy release signature from the decomposition of the particles of the sample area. 
     
     
         20 . A system for detecting explosive materials, the system comprising:
 a sample energizer configured to provide energy to a sample area;   a pixel-array detector configured to monitor the sample area and detect, based on the monitoring of the sample area, a signature from decomposition of particles of the sample area; and   means for an analyzing device configured to analyze the detected signature from the decomposition of the particles of the sample area and determine, based on the analyzing of the detected signature from the decomposition of the particles of the sample area, whether the particles of the sample area include one or more explosive materials.