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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: [email protected]
Ph(813) 974-3995
(Presentation to Congressional R&D Caucus, Oct. 6 2005)
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
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
National Academy
Press (1998)

Optics is Enabler for
New Sensors

Materials is Enabler for
New Optics
What is Optics and Photonics?
Conventional View
 1. Lens for visual Images

(telescope, camera, eye glasses, microscopes, videocam)
But also includes
 2. Optical Spectroscopy:


3. Lasers: coherent light source



Different chemicals and substances absorb and emit light of
different colors or wavelengths
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 Spectroscopy:
Transmission 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
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
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
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 Camera
Pursuit 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
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