Absorption-sensitive diffuse reflection imaging of concealed powders using a terahertz quantum cascade laser

Opt Express. 2008 Apr 28;16(9):5997-6007. doi: 10.1364/oe.16.005997.

Abstract

We report diffuse reflection imaging in air of concealed powdered samples using a terahertz quantum cascade laser. The sensitivity of the detection scheme to sub-surface absorption within samples is confirmed using fully-characterized powdered admixtures of polystyrene and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Measurements of the backscattering intensity from these samples are then used in conjunction with Kubelka-Munk scattering theory, as well as several models based on the quasi-crystalline approximation, to extract the absorption coefficient of PMMA. Our research demonstrates the feasibility of high-resolution frequency-domain terahertz imaging for the detection and identification of concealed powders in a reflection geometry.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Absorption
  • Crystallography
  • Diffusion
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional*
  • Lasers, Semiconductor*
  • Light
  • Polyethylene / chemistry
  • Polymethyl Methacrylate / chemistry
  • Powders / analysis*
  • Scattering, Radiation

Substances

  • Powders
  • Polyethylene
  • Polymethyl Methacrylate