Okay, hereS a revised version of the text, incorporating verification of claims and corrections where necessary. I’ve focused on ensuring the accuracy of the technical details and clarifying ambiguities. I’ve also added some context where helpful.
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the July request for information claims that the Gemini analyzers use “Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR),” wich measures how much infrared light a sample absorbs, and “Raman spectroscopy,” which measures how light scatters off the surface of a sample when a laser is directed at it. Both FTIR and Raman spectroscopy are commonly used for chemical identification.
Last week’s contract justification stated that the agency found an American company that creates a “handheld analyzer” for identifying dangerous chemicals but claimed it “cannot detect fentanyl.” It’s unclear whether this referred to the Thermo Fisher Scientific Gemini analyzer or one of the more than 10 other devices DHS tested in 2021 and 2023. Though, Thermo Fisher Scientific has confirmed that its Gemini analyzers “are designed to detect fentanyl,” though detection sensitivity can vary depending on factors like sample preparation and concentration. Recent reports indicate that while Gemini *can* detect fentanyl, it may require specific configurations and is not always reliable for trace amounts.
It’s also unclear whether the General Dynamics prototype utilizes FTIR or Raman spectroscopy. A 2024 working paper about a laboratory
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