Terahertz Imaging System for Sensing of Chemical and Biological Agents

研究：这项探索性研究的小额赠款是根据NSF 02-2：“下一代化学和生物传感器和传感系统”资助的。该研究的目的是建立一种新方法的概念验证，以监测，检测和表征隐藏的生物和化学制剂，这些制剂对人员，建筑物，公共交通，城市环境，邮件/包裹等构成威胁。 技术方法是通过对太赫兹电磁辐射范围（0.1-3太赫兹）内的特征透射或反射波长光谱进行空间干涉成像来探测这些物剂。 神经网络对太赫兹光谱和图像的分析将提供特工检测的特异性，并减少误报的频率。影响：这项研究是为了促进国土安全-因此其影响是及时和重要的。 此外，该机构有一个主要的少数民族学生人口。

Research:This Small Grant for Exploratory Research is being funded under NSF 02-2: "Next Generation Chemical and Biological Sensors and Sensing Systems." The objective of the research is to establish proof-of-concept of a novel way to monitor, detect, and characterize concealed biological and chemical agents that pose threats to people, buildings, mass transportation, urban environments, mail/packages, etc. The method to be studied is non-invasive, and allows for real-time, wide-area/field-of-view surveillance. The technical approach is to detect these agents via spatial interferometric imaging of their characteristic transmission or reflectivity wavelength spectrum in the Terahertz (THz) electro-magnetic radiation range (0.1-3 THz). Neural network analyses of the THz spectra and images will provide the specificity of agent detection and reduce the frequency of false alarms.Impact:The research is to promote homeland security - its impact is thus timely and important. In addition, the institution has a primarily minority student population.