Optics and Photonics: Keystone Technologies for

Sensors in Homeland Security

Dennis KillingerProfessor of Physics

University of South Florida

Tampa, FL 33620

E-mail: killinge@cas.usf.edu

Ph(813) 974-3995

(Presentation to Congressional R&D 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 Spectroscopy:Transmission of light through the atmosphere

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

Path length 100 yds

Wavelength (microns)

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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

1. Detection of DNA samples

2. Compact Laser Fluorescence system for Anthrax detection

3. Secure laser beam data communication

4. Laser Illuminator Cameras

Examples

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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

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)

Image from FLIR Thermal Camera currently used by Fire and Rescue Teams

Same Image as seen by New Laser Illuminator Camera

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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