Explosives detection spectroscopy systems from Avantes to supply EU OPTIX project

Feb. 15, 2012

Apeldoorn, The Netherlands--Avantes was selected as LIBS/Raman/IR spectroscopy instrument supplier for the EU OPTIX project.

Gail Overton

Avantes has been selected to supply LIBS, Raman, and IR spectroscopy systems for the EU OPTIX project for standoff detection of explosives and bombs to improve homeland security.

Apeldoorn, The Netherlands--Fiber-optic spectroscopy companyAvantes was selected as supplier for the European Union's (EU) European-Commision-funded OPTIX (Optical Technologies for the Identification of explosives) project. The objective is to develop a transportable system for the standoff detection and identification of explosives using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), Raman, and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Avantes will supply newly developed LIBS/Raman/IR spectroscopy systems for the project.

Avantes technical director Benno Oderkerk said, "Avantes has always focused on high quality, customizable miniature spectrometers. We have been selected for the OPTIX project based on our vast experience in customer specific optical systems. We will develop new systems with our partners in this project, including the Universities of Malaga, Dortmund, Vienna, Clausthal and the Spanish Guarda Civil."

The OPTIX project has been launched to possibly prevent terrorist attacks such as those in New York (2001), Madrid (2004), and London (2005). About 60% of these attacks have been carried out by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and therefore the detection has been given a high priority to contribute to the security of European citizens.

Oderkerk added, "Spectrometers have proven to accurately detect even the smallest traces of substances. We will be developing a combined system of LIBS (Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy), Raman systems and IR absorption. Together, they give an accurate description of the unknown substance being investigated. Avantes is proud to be selected for such a prestigious project and we expect the first tests and results soon."

SOURCE: Avantes; www.avantes.com

About the Author

Gail Overton | Senior Editor (2004-2020)

Gail has more than 30 years of engineering, marketing, product management, and editorial experience in the photonics and optical communications industry. Before joining the staff at Laser Focus World in 2004, she held many product management and product marketing roles in the fiber-optics industry, most notably at Hughes (El Segundo, CA), GTE Labs (Waltham, MA), Corning (Corning, NY), Photon Kinetics (Beaverton, OR), and Newport Corporation (Irvine, CA). During her marketing career, Gail published articles in WDM Solutions and Sensors magazine and traveled internationally to conduct product and sales training. Gail received her BS degree in physics, with an emphasis in optics, from San Diego State University in San Diego, CA in May 1986.