PHotonIc THz Synthesis for Imaging and detectioN (PHITSIN)
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Abstract
The detection of explosives carried about the person is an important current security concern. Explosives absorb high frequency waves in a characteristic manner, depending on the frequency of those waves. The frequencies of interest are in the teraHertz (THz) range, about a thousand times as high as the frequency range used by mobile phones. Signals at these frequencies can pass through clothes with little absorption, so that concealed explosives can be detected.Generating signals at such extremely high frequencies is difficult and usually requires a large and expensive laser having power consumption similar to an electric oven. Such a system is not very practical for checking whether people are carrying explosives.We have developed very efficient converters of light to THz signals which can be used with very small semiconductor lasers, requiring a total power of about 1 W, about the same as a small torch. In this project we propose to use these converters with a new and very sensitive detection scheme to create a system for detecting concealed explosives.In addition this type of technology could be used in a compact scanning system to identify concealed weapons and other items of security interest.
People |
ORCID iD |
Alwyn Seeds (Principal Investigator) | |
Cyril Renaud (Co-Investigator) |
Publications
Chin Pang Liu
(2009)
Photonic-Enabled Microwave and Terahertz Communication Systems [Invited Paper].
Fice M
(2010)
Telecommunications technology-based terahertz sources
in Electronics Letters
Rouvalis E
(2010)
Traveling-wave Uni-Traveling Carrier photodiodes for continuous wave THz generation.
in Optics express
Rouvalis E
(2011)
Optoelectronic detection of millimetre-wave signals with travelling-wave uni-travelling carrier photodiodes.
in Optics express
Steed R
(2011)
Hybrid Integrated Optical Phase-Lock Loops for Photonic Terahertz Sources
in IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics
Description | We developed sensitive coherent THz detection techniques using uni-travelling carrier photodiodes as opto-electronics mixers. |
Exploitation Route | Devices could be further developed for commercial manufacture. THz spectrometry systems could be developed commercially. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Electronics Environment Government Democracy and Justice |
URL | http://www.ee.ucl.ac.uk/photonics |
Description | The high performance travelling wave uni-travelling carrier photodiode technology has attracted considerable commercial interest, with several companies manufacturing devices based upon our designs. |
First Year Of Impact | 2012 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Electronics |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | European Union Framework 7 |
Amount | £386,260 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 257539 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Department | Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 05/2009 |
End | 11/2013 |