A novel low cost alternative to THz for security and defence applications

G. G. Diamond; D. A. Hutchins; P. Pallav; R. J. Green

doi:10.1117/12.799676

17 April 2008 A novel low cost alternative to THz for security and defence applications

G. G. Diamond, D. A. Hutchins, P. Pallav, R. J. Green

Proceedings Volume 6940, Infrared Technology and Applications XXXIV; 69401S (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.799676
Event: SPIE Defense and Security Symposium, 2008, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

A novel technique of NIR imaging is presented that gives access to most of the applications currently published as being solely suitable for Terahertz (THz) waves. The technique uses NIR beams wavelengths found in ordinary domestic remote controls (circa 850 nm) and various signal recovery techniques commonly found in astronomy. This alternative technique can be realised by very simple and inexpensive electronics and is inherently far more portable and easy to use and no special sources are required. Transmission imaging results from this technique are presented from several industrial examples and various security applications and are compared and contrasted directly with their THz-derived counterparts. It would appear possible to very cheaply and simply emulate the performance of commercial terahertz systems at a fraction of the cost and with greatly reduced processing times Another advantage is that apart from imaging, this technique affords the means to provide simultaneous in-situ chemical-bond analysis for stand-off detection of certain chemical signatures - for example, those found in drugs and explosives (both molecular and oxidiser based). Also, unlike THz, this technique can penetrate bulk water and high humidity atmospheres and be used in transmission mode on biological and medical samples. Several results are presented of non-ionising X-ray type images that even differentiate between separate types of soft tissue

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G. G. Diamond, D. A. Hutchins, P. Pallav, and R. J. Green "A novel low cost alternative to THz for security and defence applications", Proc. SPIE 6940, Infrared Technology and Applications XXXIV, 69401S (17 April 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.799676

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KEYWORDS

Near infrared

Terahertz radiation

Chemical analysis

Defense and security

Imaging spectroscopy

Tissues

Electronics

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