Passive Infrared Chemical Detection on a UAV platform using a FTIR Spectrometer

An infrared spectrometer has been used to detect chemical species in the atmosphere using a passive spectrometer mounted onboard an aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicle. Laboratory and field testing has been completed using a Midac infrared FTIR spectrometer and shown to provide exceptionally low limits of detection for a variety of chemical species. The talk will present field spectra and laboratory noise equivalent spectral radiance (NESR) results documenting the exceptional performance in a high vibration environment.