The direct use of terahertz (THz) spectral features in screening for explosives, drugs, and other contraband is limited since adjacent materials may obscure the signature of a suspect material. This paper describes a system that overcomes this problem by combining tomographic imaging with THz spectroscopy. This paper identifies a set of 30-GHz-wide windows in the atmospheric water vapour absorption up to 3 THz: data collected in these bands permit the reconstruction of an object with 1-cm resolution. Images of the distribution of innocuous and suspect material within the object are generated by an algorithm providing an optimised filter. The spectral characteristics of any region within the object may also be examined. Practical issues associated with implementing this system are discussed.
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© 2007 Springer
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Truscott, W.S. (2007). Systems Requirements for A Multi-Channel Terahertz Contraband Scanner. In: Miles, R.E., Zhang, XC., Eisele, H., Krotkus, A. (eds) Terahertz Frequency Detection and Identification of Materials and Objects. NATO Science for Peace and Security Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6503-3_13
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6503-3_13
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-6502-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-6503-3
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