Identification of Standard Explosive Traces
by Infrared Laser Spectroscopy: PCA on LPAS Data¹

G. Giubileo^a, *, F. Colao^a, and A. Puiu^b

^a ENEA, 45 Via Enrico Fermi, 00044 Frascati, Italy

^b INFLPR, 409 Atomistilor St., 0077125 Magurele-Ilfov, Romania

*e-mail: gianfranco.giubileo@enea.it

Received December 11, 2011; in final form, January 9, 2012; published online May 11, 2012

Abstract—Infrared spectroscopy based methods are promising in the design of an integrated optical system for
the real time detection and identification of explosive species to support homeland security. Infrared laser pho-
toacoustic spectroscopy (LPAS) analysis of explosive compounds (DNT; TNT; RDX; HMX; TATP; PETN;
TETRYL) and TOLUENE was reported. Standard commercial samples of the explosive species were analyzed
in solid phase by a home made PAS apparatus equipped with a stabilized 10 W continuous wave CO₂ laser
source. A very small amount (less than 100 g) of the sample was sufficient to produce a clear signal in a 3 cc
volume PA cell. The spectral data were treated by a principal component analysis (PCA) based algorithm. In a
three principal components representation of the results, every explosive species resulted to be very well dis-
tinguishable from each other, as well as from toluene and other solvents. The reported experimental activity was
performed in the Molecular Spectroscopy Laboratory of ENEA Research Centre in Frascati in the frame of
ISOTREX European Project.

DOI: 10.1134/S1054660X12060035

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