The detection limit of imaging Raman spectroscopy for 2,4,6-TNT, 2,4-DNT, and RDX

At the Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, Raman spectroscopy is used to detect explosives at stand-off distances. A technique based on imaging Raman spectroscopy has been shown to have the potential to detect trace amounts of explosives at stand-off distances. In this publication we provide limits of detection with the current imaging Raman setup for four different substances, cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX), 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT), 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), and sulfur. The limits of detection for DNT and TNT were found to be about 0,5 μg while the lowest limit of detection was achieved for sulfur at 200 ng. The detection limit for RDX is 25,9 μg.