Fluorescence measurements for the identification of biological agents features for the construction of a spectra database

The use of biological weapons represents a great concern both from a military and civilian point of view. The early detection of biological warfare agents (BWAs) in atmosphere is a huge challenge that could be addressed through UV-LIF (Ultra Violet Laser Induced Fluorescence) techniques. Fluorescence measurements of aerosol particles can provide gross discrimination between bio-agents and atmospheric background particles, In this work we intend to investigate the capability of discriminating among different biological warfare agents (BWA) through the analysis of the optical emission spectra. To accomplish this task, a deep knowledge of fluorescence features with different boundary conditions is required, in order to create a database of comparable spectral fingerprints. Preliminary results, obtained through a laboratory setup with a standard UV lamp source, showed that significant differences can be appreciated among BWAs simulants' spectra. This represents a first step towards the implementation of a spectral database and a laser-based biological stand-off identification technique.