DETECTION OF TRACE AMOUNTS OF AIRBORNE OR DEPOSITED LOW-MOLECULAR WEIGHT COMPOUNDS

摘要

A system and a method for detection of trace amounts of airborne or depositedlow~-molecular weight compound(s), such as narcotics or explosives, comprisingan electrically charged collector surface connected to an ionizer ionizingairborne particles with an electrical charge opposite to the charge of thecollector surface, optional air-stirring means, extraction means forextraction of collected material from the collector surface, and equipment forchemical and/or biochemical detection of said compound(s) from said extractedcollected material, is disclosed. Further, a modified ionizer/collector devicewherein the collector is extended from the body of the device and is equippedwith a preferably detachable, electrically chargeable collecting surface andwherein optionally the air-ionizing part of the device is also extended fromthe body of the ionizer/collector device, either together with or apart from,the extended collector arm, is described. The device may be battery-driven andportable, and suitable for use by the customs, airport security and police forthe detection of e.g. narcotics or explosives or in mine detection.