A chemical and biological agent sensor includes an electrostatic thin film
supported by a substrate. The film includes an electrostatic charged
surface to attract predetermined biological and chemical agents of
interest. A charge collector associated with said electrostatic thin film
collects charge associated with surface defects in the electrostatic film
induced by the predetermined biological and chemical agents of interest.
A preferred sensing system includes a charge based deep level transient
spectroscopy system to read out charges from the film and match responses
to data sets regarding the agents of interest. A method for sensing
biological and chemical agents includes providing a thin sensing film
having a predetermined electrostatic charge. The film is exposed to an
environment suspected of containing the biological and chemical agents.
Quantum surface effects on the film are measured. Biological and/or
chemical agents can be detected, identified and quantified based on the
measured quantum surface effects.