Patent ID: 6984524
Filing Date: 2006-01-10
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A system for screening at least a portion of the surface of a baggage item for the presence thereon of a contraband substance, the system comprising: a. an infrared laser adapted to emit light; b. an optical system adapted to deliver a beam of said light emitted from said infrared laser to illuminate an interrogation area of said surface, said illumination having sufficient intensity and duration to cause selective desorption of molecules of said contraband substance present within said interrogation area without substantially damaging said surface, and at least a portion of said molecules being thermally decomposed to produce NO c. a collection system having at least one aperture and being adapted to collect at least a portion of said desorbed molecules through said aperture; d. a reaction cell in communication with said collection system, said reaction cell having a reaction zone, an inlet for receiving in said reaction zone said molecules collected by said collection system; and an outlet for release of said air, and said reaction cell containing an alkaline, aqueous luminol-containing solution; e. a light detector for detecting light produced chemiluminescently by a chemical reaction between said luminol and said NO f. signal means for indicating the presence of said NO