Terahertz acoustic phase imaging

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Recently, our group at the University of Munich developed a novel technique for detecting concealed objects with terahertz (THz) radiation. In our approach, we use THz radiation for detecting the acoustic phase of the objects while they perform a minute vibration. The technique is sensitive to virtually all materials, metals as well as dielectrics, and even organic materials. Fundamental parameters, such as the required vibration amplitude or the exposure to THz radiation are many orders below those values recommended for the exposure to humans, which makes the technique extremely attractive for applications in personnel screening. Future research should deliver: i) A demonstration on objects, which are comparable to real life situations and ii) the characterization of the technique with respect to applications. However, the Munich team has neither the equipment for scanning objects of reasonable size nor the experience with security related issues. The goal of the proposed collaboration between the groups of X.-C. Zhang at Rensselaer and of R. Kersting at Munich is to perform the first steps towards application oriented research. The intention of the three week travel to Rensselaer is to find out about the experimental capabilities at Rensselaer and how the research goals can be met by distributing the different challenges between both teams. Based on this outcome a joint proposal will be developed.