Terahertz System for Explosives and Bio-Agents Detection

• Research unit: INNOSUISSE
• Project number: 9046.2;6 PFNM-NM

Short description (German)

Terahertz System for Explosives and Bio-Agents Detection

Short description (English)

Terahertz System for Explosives and Bio-Agents Detection

Abstract (German)

The main goal is to develop a new compact-all-solid-state-system which can be used for the detection of explosives and bio-agents using Terahertz Technology based on optical rectification of ultrashort laser pulses in DAST and superDAST organic nonlinear optical crystals. Such systems will have a great impact not only in security applications, but also in other areas like materials inspection (e.g plastics and artificial joints), spectroscopy (e.g. identification of pharmaceuticals, etc.) and medical applications: dental, cancer detection and cardiovascular diseases detection etc. The scientific and technological challenges of the project are manifold. They reach from materials technology (design and growth of high quality organic crystals with optimized properties for Terahertz generation) over expertise in laser and optical sciences - especially nonlinear optics - to competence in micromechanics, electronics, and high-speed data acquisition and processing. The adequate nonlinear optical material and the unique combination with a compact fiber laser source (telecom laser), pump and detection configuration will make the new system a versatile and unique instrument for the security applications.

Abstract (English)

The main goal is to develop a new compact-all-solid-state-system which can be used for the detection of explosives and bio-agents using Terahertz Technology based on optical rectification of ultrashort laser pulses in DAST and superDAST organic nonlinear optical crystals. Such systems will have a great impact not only in security applications, but also in other areas like materials inspection (e.g plastics and artificial joints), spectroscopy (e.g. identification of pharmaceuticals, etc.) and medical applications: dental, cancer detection and cardiovascular diseases detection etc. The scientific and technological challenges of the project are manifold. They reach from materials technology (design and growth of high quality organic crystals with optimized properties for Terahertz generation) over expertise in laser and optical sciences - especially nonlinear optics - to competence in micromechanics, electronics, and high-speed data acquisition and processing. The adequate nonlinear optical material and the unique combination with a compact fiber laser source (telecom laser), pump and detection configuration will make the new system a versatile and unique instrument for the security applications.