Active Terahertz Imaging for Security

Kurzfassung

Suicide bombers and anonymous mail attacks have become serious threats word wide. Since X-ray is difficult to apply for personnel scans due to radiation safety regulations, new technologies for remote detection of threats are required. Also fast and reliable technologies are needed to detect threats hidden in mail or similar. Due to their unique properties terahertz (THz) rays offer an alternative inspection method, which can cope with these new challenges. In response to the European Commissions first call for proposals in the frame of the Preparatoy Action in the Field of Security Research (PASR 2004) a proposal "Active Terahertz Imaging for Security (TeraSec)" was submitted by a consortium of 14 European research organizations, universities and industrial partners. The proposal was selected for funding in July 2004. The goal of this project is to improve security by developing technology, which will allow detecting threats, explosives, pathogens and chemicals hidden by a person or inside objects such as letters or luggage. The technology is based on THz radiation and advanced sensor concepts. In combiantion with existing sensors this may eventually lead to an increased level of security at public places for example airports. In this presentation an overview about the objectives of TeraSec, technological apporaches, and preliminary results will be given.