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| Science & Technology |
| New Technique To Identify and Analyze Concealed Explosives At A Distance |
| 2010-07-11 |
| 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. 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. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose |
| #5 Flamethrower? |
| Posted by: DMFD 2010-07-11 22:39 |
| #4 Can it detect gunpowder while still in a cartridge? |
| Posted by: gorb 2010-07-11 19:03 |
| #3 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 Can it see terrorists under a burqa? |
| Posted by: gorb 2010-07-11 19:02 |
| #2 Detection at even 10 meters could save many, many lives in Afghanistan and Iraq. I hope and pray this effort is receiving the appropriate emphasis and funding. Most encouraging bit of news I've read all week. Thank you Moose! |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2010-07-11 16:42 |
| #1 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. Please step into the booth. Don't be disturbed by the bright lights, ball lightning, and ozone, it's all perfectly normal and can't harm you in any way; assuming, of course, that you have never done anything wrong in your life. |
| Posted by: KBK 2010-07-11 16:42 |