DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF TOXIC CHEMICAL VAPORS IN AN OPEN-AIR ENVIRONMENT BY A DIFFERENTIAL PASSIVE LWIR STANDOFF TECHNIQUE

In this paper, the passive standoff long wave infrared technology developed for atmospheric remote sensing was used to detect and identify chemical pollutants in the atmosphere. The measurement approach is based on the differential passive standoff detection method that has been developed by DRDC Valcartier during the past few years. The measurements were performed on real chemical warfare agents and toxic chemical vapors. The results clearly demonstrate the capability of the differential radiometry approach for the detection, identification and quantification of toxic chemical vapor clouds in an open-air environment.