Photoluminescence spectroscopy: New technique for detecting explosives

Although spectroscopy is an old technique, it has been recently applied to the detection of explosives. This technique helps in identifying the explosive element from the molecules released by exposing a high power laser beam on it or in its vicinity. The excited molecules give off photons (light) of the characteristic wavelength of the material when the light source is removed. This technique has been studied and developed by a research team at the University of Florida.