Patent ID: 8763442

Claim:
A system for detecting low-volatility chemicals buried below a ground surface, the system comprising: an acoustic emitter positioned at a predetermined distance above the ground surface and configured to project a beam of acoustic energy toward the ground surface with a variable angle of incidence α so as to generate a surface wave; a controller operatively connected to the acoustic emitter and configured to control the acoustic emitter to vary the angle of incidence of the acoustic beam within the variable angle of incidence α; an optical sensor configured for standoff sensing of a trace chemical vapor proximate the ground surface; and an indicator operatively connected to the optical sensor for indicating a detection of a predetermined trace chemical vapor by the optical sensor, wherein projection of the beam of acoustic energy causes a release of trace chemical vapors from under the ground surface, with said optical sensor sensing at least the predetermined trace chemical vapor, if present amongst the released trace chemical vapors.