Terahertz Technology

Overview

Terahertz technology has traditionally been the domain of expensive, impractical laser and electron-beam systems. Tera-X takes a different approach, utilizing solid state technology to generate terahertz radiation with economical microwave sources. We also develop modulation schemes to enhance the effectiveness of technology in ranged applications.

Polarization modulation

Polarization modulation

Modulating the stream of pulses generated by our terahertz technology enables increased ranging and acuity in sensing applications. Tera-X has developed a polarization modulation approach that allows the terahertz energy to be modulated through altering the phase of the microwave driving sources.

Pulsed circuits

Pulsed circuits

Terahertz pulsed circuits are driven by economical microwave sources, typically fabricated using a GaAs process. We have developed optimized diode designs to increase power and efficiency over the prior state-of-the-art.

Intellectual property

Intellectual property

Many components of our technology are protected by patents, from the device level to the system level.

What could a RF-THz imager allow that can’t be done now?

      • Suicide bomber detection: working at a safe/covert distance, check for contrast between skin, explosives, concealed weapons using non-ionizing, non-harmful radiation
      • Could use a 33 cm aperture (300 GHz) or 20 cm aperture (500 GHz) to resolve:
        • 2.5 cm features @ 8 m standoff
        • 6 cm features @ 20 m standoff
        • 15 cm features @ 50 m standoff
      • IED detection combined with ground-penetrating radar (GPR), particularly with polarization sensitivity
      • Locating an enemy hiding in a building
      • Standoff surveillance of a facility
      • Crisis response, locating hostages
      • Search and Rescue: Post-disaster, locating hurricane, earthquake, flooding, bomb victims
      • Port security: Scanning of cargo containers
      • Detect explosives on personnel (counter suicide bombers) or in concrete (IEDs)
      • Border security, detect people hiding in strange places in vehicles (under seats, dashboard, etc.)
      • Harsh weather navigation
      • Biometric/biological, chemical sensing
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