Detection and identification of drugs under real conditions by using noisy terahertz broadband pulse

Appl Opt. 2016 Nov 20;55(33):9605-9618. doi: 10.1364/AO.55.009605.

Abstract

We discuss an effective method for detecting and identifying drugs using a high-noise terahertz (THz) signal. We add a noisy THz signal obtained in real conditions to the THz signal transmitted through a sample with the illicit drug methamphetamine. The insufficiency of the standard THz time-domain spectroscopy method is demonstrated, showing that this method detects the spectral features of neutral substances and explosives in a noisy THz signal. The method discussed is based upon time-dependent integral correlation criteria calculated using spectral dynamics of the medium response. We propose a modification of the integral correlation criterion that is less dependent on the spectral characteristics of a noisy signal under investigation.

MeSH terms

  • Explosive Agents / analysis
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / analysis*
  • Terahertz Spectroscopy*

Substances

  • Explosive Agents
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations