Challenges to terahertz counter-terrorism and security-related applications

Since early 2002, HMGCC has been monitoring developments in Terahertz (THz) technology in government, academia, and industry, as applied to counterterrorism and wider security applications, both at home and abroad. In addition it has funded proof of concept studies in UK industry and research in UK universities (Leeds and Durham) to help form a view as to its likely performance. This paper summarizes the results of work that HMGCC and other UK Government Departments have undertaken to date and draws a positive conclusion as to the prospective operational performance of THz systems in the security domain. Suggestions as to the way the technology needs to be developed, to enable both cost and functionally effective systems to be produced that will satisfy operational needs, are made.