### 6.4.2 A Particle Sampler for Trace Detection of Explosives

Sebastian Beer, Gerhard Müller & Jürgen Wöllenstein
We present our developments toward a handheld field-ready trace explosives detection system using an electrostatic particle sampler with an integrated thermal desorber. Particle sampling with subsequent thermal desorption is used to overcome the problem of low vapor pressure of explosives. A degree of selectivity toward high electron affinity, characteristic for most explosives, is demonstrated experimentally. This reduces the detection background and improves the system performance. Detection is shown in applications of the sampler to both...