Electronic THz reflection spectroscopy for detecting energetic materials

We report the first 10-450 GHz single pixel reflection spectra of several energetic materials (explosives). These are measured with an all-electronic reflection spectrometer, and we compare them to those of common objects and human skin to show differences in dielectric contrast. This instrument uses microwave sources to drive picosecond GaAs nonlinear transmission lines and sampling detectors, so it can form the basis of a fully integrated circuit spectroscopic imaging system for screening in security applications.