Standoff detection of trace amounts of solids by nonlinear Raman spectroscopy using shaped femtosecond pulses

We demonstrate a single-beam, standoff (>10 m) detection and identification of various materials including minute amounts of explosives under ambient light conditions. This is obtained by multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering spectroscopy (CARS) using a single femtosecond phase-shaped laser pulse. We exploit the strong nonresonant background for amplification of the backscattered resonant CARS signals by employing a homodyne detection scheme. The simple and highly sensitive spectroscopic technique has a potential for hazardous materials standoff detection applications. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.