ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to provide basic information about common classes of technology available to hazardous materials responders and military personnel who may be charged with a chemical agent response. The state of matter of a substance presents unique response challenges and detection considerations. Standoff detection can prevent the physical contamination of the sensing instrument but may include environmental background information in the analysis results. Photoionization detectors are broadband vapor-phase detectors that respond to organic and some inorganic compounds. Typical Ion Mobility Spectroscopy (IMS) detectors have four main regions: a sample inlet area, an ionization area, a drift tube for ion separation or selection, and a detection area. IMS could be considered the best compromise between detection criteria, agent specificity, and operational limitations. Most field-use Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy instruments are point detection instruments, which require physical contact between the sample and the instrument for detection.
