Detection of Concealed Explosives at a Distance Using Terahertz Technology

Terahertz imaging and spectroscopy has been shown to have the potential to use very low levels of nonionizing radiation to detect and identify objects hidden under clothing. In this paper we discuss some of the important factors involved in addressing practical systems in the security industry, and describe our recent work on the development of a prototype terahertz standoff detection system. Using this system we demonstrate the spectroscopic detection of concealed explosives at a standoff distance of 1 m, both real time, in reflection, and under normal atmospheric conditions.