Raman scattering for explosive traces stand-off detection

This paper deals with the presentation of the recent development of a stand-off laser Raman apparatus to monitor explosive traces dispersed on fabrics. The system has been designed to operate in compliance with the international eye-safe regulations and therefore to be installed, in the future, in public facilities check-points (e.g. mass transit check points). The particular high sensitivity reached in the detection of traces is due to the specific optical design and electro-optics components adopted. The sensor was successively, successfully integrated in a network of sensors (System of the Systems) and tested in a real environment (a Metro station in Paris).