Detection of Explosives with Fluorescence

International terrorism, security concerns, and the remains of forgotten landmines throughout the world have increased interest in detection of explosive materials. Most mines contain TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene). Many techniques for detecting explosives detection assume that landmines are encased in metal. Other techniques require expensive instruments or can be unreliable. The best methods for plastic mines involve detection of vapors escaping from landmines. These gases are impurities or degradation products, e.g., 2,4-dinitrotoluene, which are more volatilethan TNT.