Fiber-pigtailed terahertz time domain spectroscopy instrumentation for package inspection and security imaging

Terahertz imaging has the potential to reveal concealed explosives; metallic and non-metallic weapons (such as ceramic, plastic or composite guns and knives); flammables; biological agents; chemical weapons and other threats hidden in packages or on personnel. Because terahertz imaging employs safe non-ionizing radiation that penetrates clothing, people may be routinely scanned as well as packages. Images can have sub-millimeter resolution, superior to longer wavelength techniques. Explosives, chemical weapons, and biological agents may posses a spectral fingerprint in the terahertz regime. The application of commercially available time domain terahertz spectroscopy equipment to imaging of concealed threats within packages is shown to penetrate common packing materials and clearly image common plastic and metal threat objects.