Security screening system based on terahertz-wave spectroscopic gas detection.

Abstract

Tunable terahertz (THz)-wave absorption spectroscopy is a promising technique to detect trace gases suspended in ambient air owing to their strong absorption fingerprints in the THz-wave spectral region. Here, we present a THz-wave spectroscopic gas detection platform based on a frequency-tunable injection-seeded THz-wave parametric generator and compact multipass gas absorption cells. Using a 1.8-m-path-length multipass cell, we detected gas-phase methanol (CH3OH) down to a trace concentration of 0.2 ppm at the 1.48-THz transparent atmospheric window. We also developed a transportable walk-through screening prototype using a 6-m-path-length multipass cell to identify suspicious subjects. Our results demonstrate the potential of the proposed system for security screening applications.