LASER Can Now Detect Roadside Bombs!

Improvised explosive devices are perhaps the greatest security threat for the world fighting terrorism. It is hence required to find out ways and means to detect these explosives and destroy them while using non destructive detecting systems. To solve this difficulty of soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan a research group from Michigan State University has invented a new LASER which can search even a billionth of gram of explosive in populated areas.

Identifying specific explosive molecules from a hoard of different molecules is apparently an impossible task. The LASER developed by the research group hence makes use of two types of LASER beams; the short pulses and the long pulses. When directed on a particular substance, the short pulse beam vibrates the molecules of suspected explosive while the long pulse captures the frequencies of these molecules and identifies each of the molecules accurately.

The LASER although looks something similar to a presentation pointer is much more sensitive to molecular activity. More importantly it is safe and non-destructive. An operator can operate it from a safe distance and can distinguish between a bomb and a normal object. Once in operation, the LASER will be highly useful because it can make sure if a bomb alarm is false or not. It will thus prevent an unnecessary evacuation of a structural complex.

The scientists who developed this LASER are from a company called BioPhotonic Solutions. The scientists associated with this research had earlier developed this technology to be integrated with microscopes to boost their resolution and detection power. The group later thought that they can take the technology to a higher level so that it can be used for some other purposes too. Approximately 60% of soldier’s deaths are due to IEDs planted by terrorists roadside. It will hence find a greater role in army. BioPhotonic solution scientists have presented their research in Applied Physics Letters.