STTR Phase I: Compact, Low-cost Remote Sensing of Methamphetamine Labs

STTR 第一阶段：紧凑、低成本的甲基苯丙胺实验室遥感

• 批准号: 0712406
• 负责人: Peter Roos
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: Bridger Photonics, INC
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2007
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2007-07-01 至 2008-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0712406&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: STTR; Phase; Compact; Low; cost

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I research project addresses the need for sensitive, portable, low-cost, laser-based remote sensing devices to detect chemical effluents of illicit methamphetamine (meth) production from a distance. The proposed project will develop an innovative correlated-mode laser source for high-resolution mid-infrared differential absorption lidar. To accomplish this the research team will base the research on a compact, monolithic, passively Q-switched laser/optical parametric oscillator design that has proven incredibly effective for ranging purposes (no spectroscopy) in demanding environments. This source, in its present state, is unsuitable for high-resolution mid-infrared spectroscopy. The team will therefore advance the laser by targeting the desired effluent mid-IR wavelengths, significantly improving the spectral, spatial, and temporal emission characteristics, and incorporating dual mode operation. Realization of the laser source will enable real-time remote detection of meth labs in widely varying environments, locations, and circumstances with quantum-limited detection sensitivity, spectral selectivity for the desired molecules in a spectral region that is difficult to access, and differential measurement capabilities for effective self calibration. Methamphetamine (meth) use in the U.S. and particularly in the state of Montana has reached epidemic levels. Meth is considered the most addictive illicit drug and is easily produced with widely available and inexpensive ingredients. The drug is often implicated in violent crimes and is rapidly becoming more popular with teenagers and minorities. Meth use in Montana is dramatically higher than the national average and almost 3/4 of the state's federal sentences were meth related in 2003. Aggressive use prevention efforts are showing progress, but complementary efforts to address the supply side of the meth problem are direly needed. In fact, 65% of Montana's young adults report that meth is "very or somewhat easy" to obtain. Meth's abundant availability is often attributed to the fact that it is alarmingly easy to produce and that makeshift clandestine labs are now ubiquitous (in homes, apartments, motels, storage facilities, etc). These labs are becoming increasingly difficult for law enforcement to uncover as the producers become more sophisticated and mobile. Drug enforcement personnel on local, national, and international levels require the ability to detect meth labs rapidly and in widely varying locations and circumstances. This capability currently does not exist.

这个小型企业技术转让第一阶段研究项目解决了对灵敏、便携、低成本、激光遥感装置的需求，以便从远处探测非法甲基苯丙胺（冰毒）生产的化学流出物。该项目将为高分辨率中红外差分吸收激光雷达开发一种创新的相关模式激光源。为了实现这一目标，研究团队将基于一种紧凑、单片、被动调q激光/光学参数振荡器设计进行研究，该振荡器已被证明在苛刻的环境中对测距目的（无光谱）非常有效。该源，在其目前的状态，是不适合高分辨率的中红外光谱。因此，该团队将通过瞄准所需的流出物中红外波长来推进激光器，显著改善光谱、空间和时间发射特性，并结合双模式操作。激光源的实现将能够在广泛变化的环境、位置和环境中实时远程检测冰毒实验室，具有量子限制的检测灵敏度、难以进入的光谱区域中所需分子的光谱选择性以及有效自校准的差分测量能力。在美国，特别是在蒙大拿州，甲基苯丙胺（冰毒）的使用已经达到了流行病的水平。甲基苯丙胺被认为是最容易上瘾的非法药物，而且很容易用广泛可用且价格低廉的原料生产。这种毒品经常与暴力犯罪有关，而且在青少年和少数民族中越来越受欢迎。蒙大拿州的冰毒使用率远高于全国平均水平，2003年该州联邦判决的近四分之三与冰毒有关。积极预防使用的努力正在取得进展，但迫切需要解决冰毒供应方面问题的补充努力。事实上，蒙大拿州65%的年轻人报告说，冰毒“非常或有些容易”获得。甲基苯丙胺的大量可用性通常归因于它的生产容易得惊人，而且临时的秘密实验室现在无处不在（在家里、公寓、汽车旅馆、储存设施等）。随着生产商变得越来越复杂和流动，执法部门越来越难以发现这些实验室。地方、国家和国际层面的禁毒执法人员需要能够在广泛不同的地点和情况下迅速发现冰毒实验室。此功能目前不存在。