Simin, NicholasPark, YangkyuLee, DongkyuThundat, ThomasKim, Seonghwan2021-03-302021-03-302020-03-10http://hdl.handle.net/1880/113190Various standoff sensing techniques employing optical spectroscopy have been developed to address challenges in safely identifying trace amounts of explosives at a distance. A flexible anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) microcantilever and a high-power quantum cascade laser utilized as the infrared (IR) source are used for standoff IR reflection-absorption spectroscopy to detect explosive residues on a metal surface. Standoff sensing of trinitrotoluene (TNT) is demonstrated by exploiting the high thermomechanical sensitivity of a bimetallic AAO microcantilever. Moreover, sputtering gold onto the fabricated AAO nanowells generates a strong scattering and absorption of IR light in the wavelength range of 5.18 μm to 5.85 μm resulting in enhanced nanoplasmonic heating. Utilizing the IR absorption enhancement in this wavelength range, the plasmonic AAO cantilever could detect TNT molecules 7 times better than the bimetallic AAO cantilever.engUnless otherwise indicated, this material is protected by copyright and has been made available with authorization from the copyright owner. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.optical spectroscopystandoff sensingjournal articleRGPIN/04788-201410.1364/OL.387653