Article

2010-07-11 Science & Technology

New Technique To Identify and Analyze Concealed Explosives At A Distance

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Posted by Anonymoose 2010-07-11 15:32|| || Front Page|| [8 views ] Top

#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|| 2010-07-11 16:42|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2010-07-11 16:42|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2010-07-11 19:02|| Front Page Top

#4 Can it detect gunpowder while still in a cartridge?

Posted by gorb 2010-07-11 19:03|| 2010-07-11 19:03|| Front Page Top

#5 Flamethrower?

Posted by DMFD 2010-07-11 22:39|| 2010-07-11 22:39|| Front Page Top

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