Title :
Portable detection system for illicit materials based on SAW resonators
Author :
Watson, G. ; Horton, W. ; Staples, E.
Author_Institution :
Amerasia Technol. Inc., Westlake Village, CA, USA
Abstract :
The authors describe a new gas chromatography based system utilizing surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonators that has been miniaturized into a portable detection system to be used by law enforcement agencies. This system contains all the necessary components for extended operation in a field environment. High flow sampling and short analysis time are coupled to extract extremely small quantities (picograms) of illicit materials from the air for subsequent detection by a 500-MHz SAW resonator. Analysis is performed on site in near real-time (10-15 s). System operating parameters are controlled by a microprocessor which maintains operating temperatures, value timing, sampling and sample injection. All functions of the system are operator programmable from a laptop computer
Keywords :
acoustic resonators; chromatography; computerised control; computerised instrumentation; crystal resonators; gas sensors; portable instruments; surface acoustic wave devices; 500 MHz; SAW resonators; explosive material vapours; extended operation; field environment; gas chromatography based system; high flow sampling; illicit materials; laptop computer; law enforcement agencies; microprocessor controlled parameters; operator programmable; portable detection system; short analysis time; vapour detectors; Acoustic signal detection; Acoustic waves; Control systems; Gas chromatography; Law enforcement; Microprocessors; Performance analysis; Sampling methods; Surface acoustic waves; Temperature control;
Conference_Titel :
Ultrasonics Symposium, 1992. Proceedings., IEEE 1992
Conference_Location :
Tucson, AZ
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-0562-0
DOI :
10.1109/ULTSYM.1992.275997
