Optics and Photonics: Keystone Technologies for Sensors in Homeland Security

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Optics and Photonics Keystone Technologies for
Sensors in Homeland Security

• Dennis Killinger
• Professor of Physics
• University of South Florida
• Tampa, FL 33620
• E-mail killinge_at_cas.usf.edu
• Ph(813) 974-3995
• (Presentation to Congressional RD Caucus, Oct. 6
  2005)

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Main Theme

• Optics and Photonics is a dominant enabling
  technology in Bio-Chemical Agent Detection and
  Surveillance for Homeland Security

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Theme supported by National Academy/NRC Study

• National Academy Press (1998)
• Optics is Enabler for New Sensors
• Materials is Enabler for New Optics

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What is Optics and Photonics?

• Conventional View
• 1. Lens for visual Images
• (telescope, camera, eye glasses, microscopes,
  videocam)
• But also includes
• 2. Optical Spectroscopy
• Different chemicals and substances absorb and
  emit light of different colors or wavelengths
• 3. Lasers coherent light source
• Can focus to 1 million times smaller than
  flashlight
• 1 billion times more powerful than searchlight
• 4. Photonics
• Control of information contained within laser
  photons

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Example of Optical SpectroscopyTransmission of
light through the atmosphere
Path length 100 yds
Wavelength (microns)

• Visible Wavelengths
• Human eye sees 0.4 micron (blue) to 0.7 micron
  (red)
• (micron 1/100 human hair)

Near IR wavelengths Absorption lines due to
water , oxygen, carbon dioxide
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Example of Optical Spectroscopy Colors Emitted
by Neon Gas Discharge Tube

• Diffraction grating (or Prism) displays unique
  colors of Neon glowing in Gas Tube
• Wavelengths are unique to Neon
• Each chemical or substance may have a unique
  spectral signature
• Can be used to identify substance

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What good is Optical Spectroscopy?

• We detect the Ozone Hole by optical spectra
• Measure Gases on Mars by spectroscopy
• 100 of medical tests done on blood, urine, etc.
  at a commercial medical lab use optical
  absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy
• Dr. K. Patel, Medical Director Quest
  Diagnostics Laboratory/Tampa

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Optics Used for Homeland Security
Examples

• 1. Detection of DNA samples
• 2. Compact Laser Fluorescence system for Anthrax
  detection
• 3. Secure laser beam data communication
• 4. Laser Illuminator Cameras

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1. Laser Readers Map DNA Sequence

• DNA fragments marked by fluorescence tags
• AGCT tagged by one of four colored dyes
• Laser focused to micro-arrays and reads dye color
• (from Hitachi DNA Sequencer information)

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Example of DNA Sequencer and output code read by
laser scanner
Sample prep and measurements may take 6 to 12 hrs
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2. RAPTOR Instrument for Anthrax Detection

• Laser Induced Fluorescence
• Tapered Plastic Waveguide Coated with Fluorescent
  Tagged Antigen
• Detection 100 to 10,000 spores (10,000 spores
  deadly)
• Takes 10 minutes Mixes and extracts sample

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RAPTOR Throw-away Plastic optical waveguide

• Developed at Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Dr.
  F. Ligler)
• Technology Transferred CRADA to Research
  International
• Testing by US Army and USF (Prof. Dan Lim)

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3. Secure Laser beam communication

• Atmospheric laser communication system (Terabeam,
  Inc.) used to re-establish high-speed data
  communication between Merrill Lynch Brokerage and
  Wall Street after 9/11 attack.

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4. Optical Imaging for Security Applications

• Night Vision cameras
• Low light level (still visible wavelengths)
• Thermal images (infrared/low resolution)
• THz imaging penetrates through clothes
• Laser Illuminator Cameras

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Example Laser Illuminator Video CameraPursuit
Engineering (From FORD Motor Co. Research)

• IR Laser Illuminator invisible to human eye
• Penetrates fog, dust, debris better than visible
  light
• Search and Rescue and underwater surveillance

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Comparison of Commonly Used Fire and Rescue FLIR
Thermal Camera and New Laser illuminator Camera
Image from FLIR Thermal Camera currently used by
Fire and Rescue Teams
Same Image as seen by New Laser Illuminator
Camera

• Cameras used by Search and Rescue team inside
  collapsed dormitory building in Oklahoma City (no
  lights) Prof. Robin Murphy (SSR-RC)
• Laser Illuminator shows much finer detail (can
  see under bed)

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Additional Optics Related Research for Homeland
Security

• Optical remote sensing of explosives and chemical
  agents
• Sensor Swarms nano-optics
• Detect pathogens in water and food
• Positive ID tags coded beacons
• Surveillance Multi-wavelength cameras
• Eavesdrop Proof photon quantum codes for laser
  communication

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Summary

• Optics and Photonics is Keystone Science behind
  most chemical sensors and security imaging
  systems for Homeland Security
• Future advances are dependent upon new optical
  science and new materials being developed