Terahertz imaging and spectroscopy for landmine detection

Abstract

Pulsed THz (100 GHz - 30 THz) Imaging Spectroscopy combines three ways of mine detection in one system, high resolution radar, depth ranging, and infrared spectroscopy. It allows minefield detection, single mine imaging, and near-zero false alarm due to the capabilities of explosives / plastic identification using spectroscopy with working distances to 1000 feet. We have previously demonstrated imaging capabilities with 1 mm spatial resolution on a rubber O-ring embedded in sand. The estimated transmission depth in moist sand is 1 to 3 cm, which should be sufficient for imaging anti-personnel mines. In this work, we present initial results investigating the feasibility of THz spectroscopy in the frequency range from 1 to 10 THz to detect and identify explosives and related compounds (ERCs). A major component of this effort is chemical modeling to obtain spectroscopic information on ERCs and environmental background. A time-domain THz system using femtosecond laser pulses is also being developed.