Terahertz radiation, occupying the space between microwave and infrared wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum, has long presented unique technological challenges. However, recent advancements have started unlocking this region's potential for innovative applications across multiple fields. As terahertz technologies continue their progress, entirely new industrial and scientific opportunities are emerging.
What is Terahertz Radiation?
Terahertz radiation, sometimes called T-rays, consists of electromagnetic waves with frequencies between 300 gigahertz (GHz) and 3 terahertz (THz). This region of the electromagnetic spectrum was previously difficult to generate and detect but modern materials and techniques have begun to overcome these obstacles.
Terahertz Radiation exhibits properties distinct from both microwaves below it and infrared/visible light above it on the spectrum. With wavelengths between 0.1-1mm, terahertz waves can penetrate a wide variety of non-conducting materials like clothes, paper, cardboard and wood. However, they are blocked by materials like metal, water or conductive paint. Unlike visible light, terahertz radiation is non-ionizing and poses no biological risks making it safe for security and medical imaging.
Potential Applications
Security Imaging
Terahertz Technologies ability to penetrate many common materials while being blocked by others offers new possibilities for security screening. Terahertz imaging systems can detect hidden contraband under layers of clothing without requiring the subject to disrobe. The safety of terahertz waves also enables additional uses in border security, luggage inspection and mail/package screening. Public and private organizations are exploring terahertz whole body scanners as a more dignified alternative to millimeter wave technology currently used in some airports.
Medical Diagnostics
Medical research has identified terahertz radiation’s utility in biomedical imaging and cancer detection. Studies have shown terahertz imaging can discern differences between healthy and diseased tissue. This allows potential applications like non-invasive cancer detection, monitoring wound healing, imaging internal burns and dental caries detection. Terahertz endoscopy further enables minimally invasive inspection of internal organs. With no ionizing radiation risk, terahertz could realize safer long-term or repeated medical scans compared to X-rays.
Industrial Quality Assurance
Terahertz radiation’s material penetration enables industrial applications like checking manufactured components for defects beneath painted or plastic coatings. Terahertz imaging lends itself to fast, non-contact quality control scanning on production lines for items like pharmaceutical tablets and food products. Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy identifies material types and bond structures assisting chemical analysis in areas like conservation science and counterfeit detection.
Communications and Computing
In communications, terahertz wireless systems could achieve data transfer rates up to 100 times faster than existing WiFi networks. The massive available bandwidth in the terahertz range offers scope for wireless backhaul between 5G base stations. Terahertz modulation schemes also suggest applications in chip-to-chip interconnects and new memories for ultrafast computing. Other computing uses explore exploiting quantum phenomena for accelerating machine learning operations with terahertz integrated circuits.
Cutting Edge Research
Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy
Since each atom and molecule has a unique absorption spectrum in the terahertz range, terahertz time-domain spectroscopy enables identifying trace gases, biological samples and hazardous materials. Terahertz spectroscopy assists fundamental physics research regarding molecular bonding, material characterization and plasmons in nanostructures. Understanding electromagnetic interactions on molecular scales aids fields including astrochemistry and environmental monitoring.
THz Imaging for Archeology and Conservation
Non-destructive terahertz imaging through museum artifacts and archival documents provides a minimally invasive tool for digital preservation and analysis. Terahertz techniques allow visualizing subsurface layers, characterization of materials and detecting restoration. Projects utilize terahertz imaging to study ancient murals, manuscripts, mummies, stamps and paintings without harm. Researchers work to expand imaging depth and resolution for new archeological and conservational insights.
Astronomy and Planetary Science
Certain molecules in space and planetary atmospheres have strong rotational absorption lines in the terahertz domain. This makes terahertz astronomy an active area with applications like detecting water ice, organic molecules, prebiotic chemistry and astronomical masers. Future space observatories may utilize large terahertz telescopes for observing star and planet formation across galaxies. Terahertz radar also aids understanding planet surfaces via reflections from below atmospheric cloud layers.
The Growth of Terahertz Technologies
While terahertz science was historically limited by technology, renewed interest, multidisciplinary collaborations and commercialization efforts are driving progress. National research projects integrate physics, engineering and applications expertise working to resolve challenges around terahertz generation, detection, sources and wireless system designs. Entrepreneurial startups commercialize early systems for security screening, quality control and spectroscopy. Larger corporations seek partnerships to develop new products using terahertz's emerging capabilities.
As terahertz component fabrication improves, system costs decrease and investigation uncovers further application potential across industries. Looking ahead, continued refinement of room temperature solid-state sources and detectors promises even wider access to this spectral domain. With a bright future of innovations still to come, terahertz technologies increasingly offer transformative benefits to science, healthcare, manufacturing and society overall. While still in early-stage commercialization, terahertz looks positioned to become an indispensable technological toolset in the decades to come.
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