Line-scan Raman spectroscopy for detection and imaging of explosives traces by a compact Raman spectrometer

Measurements of Raman scattering spectra and of Raman maps of particles of explosives and related compounds [potassium nitrate, 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT), 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (RDX)] were performed by a homebuilt compact Raman system, functioning with a 532-nm laser beam, focused as a point or line, along with full vertical binning or image readout of an intensified charge-coupled device camera. High specificity and sensitivity were obtained by line-excitation, which allowed fast detection and mapping of explosive particles with a relatively simple system.