Posted on 07/11/2010 12:28:22 PM PDT by decimon
Unique THz 'fingerprints' will identify hidden explosives from a distance
A major breakthrough in remote wave sensing by a team of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers opens the way for detecting hidden explosives, chemical, biological agents and illegal drugs from a distance of 20 meters.
The new, all-optical system, using terahertz (THz) wave technology, has great potential for homeland security and military uses because it can "see through" clothing and packaging materials and can identify immediately the unique THz "fingerprints" of any hidden materials.
Terahertz waves occupy a large segment of the electromagnetic spectrum between the infrared and microwave bands which can provide imaging and sensing technologies not available through conventional technologies such as x-ray and microwave.
"The potential of THz wave remote sensing has been recognized for years, but practical application has been blocked by the fact that ambient moisture interferes with wave transmission," says Xi-Cheng Zhang, Ph.D., director of the Center for THz Research at Rensselaer.
Dr. Zhang, the J. Erik Jonsson Professor of Science at Rensselaer, is lead author of a paper to be published next week in the journal Nature Photonics. Titled "Broadband terahertz wave remote sensing using coherent manipulation of fluorescence from asymmetrically ionized gases," the paper describes the new system in detail.
The "all optical" technique for remote THz sensing uses laser induced fluorescence, essentially focusing two laser beams together into the air to remotely create a plasma that interacts with a generated THz wave. The plasma fluorescence carries information from a target material to a detector where it is instantly compared with material spectrum in the THz "library," making possible immediate identification of a target material.
"We have shown that you can focus a 800 nm laser beam and a 400 nm laser beam together into the air to remotely create a plasma interacting with the THz wave, and use the plasma fluorescence to convey the information of the THz wave back to the local detector," explains Dr. Zhang.
Repeated terrorist threats and the thwarted Christmas Eve bombing attempt aboard a Northwest airline heightened interest in developing THz remote sensing capabilities, especially from Homeland Security and the Defense Department, which have funded much of the Rensselaer research.
Because THz radiation transmits through almost anything that is not metal or liquid, the waves can "see" through most materials that might be used to conceal explosives or other dangerous materials, such as packaging, corrugated cardboard, clothing, shoes, backpacks and book bags.
Unlike x-rays, THz radiation poses little or no health threat. However, the technique cannot detect materials that might be concealed in body cavities.
"Our technology would not work for owners of an African diamond mine who are interested in the system to stop workers from smuggling out diamonds by swallowing them," Dr. Zhang says.
Though most of the research has been conducted in a laboratory setting, the technology is portable and eventually could be used to check out backpacks or luggage abandoned in an airport for explosives, other dangerous materials or for illegal drugs. On battlefields, it could detect where explosives are hidden.
The fact that each substance has its own unique THz "fingerprint" will show exactly what compound or compounds are being hidden, a capability that is expected to have multiple important and unexpected uses. In the event of a chemical spill, for instance, remote sensing could identify the composition of the toxic mix. Since sensing is remote, no individuals will be needlessly endangered.
"I think I can predict that, within a few years, the THz science and technology will become more available and ready for industrial and defense-related use," predicts Dr. Zhang.
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Co-authors of the Nature Photonics paper are Rensselaer's Jingle Liu, Ph.D, Research Associate Professor Jianming Dai, and Professor See-Leang Chin of Quebec's University of Laval.
Contact: Marshall Hoffman, 703 533-3535, 703 801-8602 (mobile), marshall@hoffmanpr.com Mark Marchand, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 518-276-6098, marchm3@rpi.edu
'You can enjoy whatever you want in the comfort of your own home, but the rest of us shouldn't have to suffer from second hand Big Mac breath. No longer will we let these abusers of their bodies inflict their transfatified evil upon the rest of us.'
I got a better idea, how about we just pull aside all the Muslim looking guys in the line to board the airplane and check them out?
Radical Muslim sympathizers to protest privacy rights in 3..2..1
And if they record the data, now we will know who farted. End of the one-cheek-sneak and the silent-but-deadly. Brilliant!
Rader? Tsk tsk.
What a clever way to smell things. Of course if there is nothing to smell, nothing will be detected.
Nancy Pelosi’s breath would probably break it.
BAD DAY for Omoslem and the Religion of Peace (TM).
In short, the really determined will get past this, and those who will not be screened because we don't want any profiling going on are the most likely to get through.
I think I'll drive...
The presser said 20 meters. The abstract says only 10 meters. That's way too close for the comfort of humans, but mounted on a remotely operated vehicle might work for IEDs.
This post's title has been in the back of my head for months.
Khong lau ...Toi khong biet ! So mudi...;o)
More toy than tool right now per my limited knowledge of it.
Hope yer well Doc !
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