Technology Opportunities

THz radiation bridges the gap between microwaves and infrared. Until recently, this spectral range has received limited attention due to the lack of efficient and low/moderate cost THz sources and detectors. However, there are a number of promising applications such as THz imaging (concealed weapon and explosive detection) and THz spectroscopy (pharmaceutical, biomedical, and materials inspection applications). Successful exploitation of the potential of THz technology requires the availability of low cost, versatile and powerful THz emitters as well as highly sensitive, un-cooled and small detectors. The presented invention uses a blackbody apparatus to enable the manufacture of relatively low-cost THz systems to meet these needs.