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Assessment of Millimeter-Wave and Terahertz Technology for Detection and Identification of Concealed Explosives and Weapons (2007) / Chapter Skim
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Executive Summary
Pages 1-6

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From page 1...
... While many threats exist in the nation's transportation infrastructure, the Committee on Assessment of Security Technologies for Transportation focused this effort on the aviation security portion of the U.S. national infrastructure because, with the air transportation environment's more controlled passenger access and its experience with passenger screening, the committee believes that the air transportation environment can serve as a ready testbed for assessing screening 1
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From page 2...
... Since the introduction in 1994 of certified explosive detection systems for checked luggage, a technology based on computed x-ray tomography, explosive threat detection has significantly improved. While potential attacks on all modes of transportation are of concern, the committee believes that the U.S.
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From page 3...
... Passive imaging detection techniques rely on collecting naturally occurring radiation and using the contrast between apparently "warmer" and "colder" objects, which usually results from contrasts between the emissivities of different materials. For example, millimeter-wavelength/terahertz technologies are being examined for their ability to detect metal guns concealed underneath clothing by detecting the contrast between the warmer human body and the apparently cooler metal weapon.
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From page 4...
... As frequencies increase, spectral features of solid materials of interest become more apparent, but the ability to penetrate materials, a desirable feature for the identification of concealed objects, is reduced. The hope for transportation security is that millimeter-wavelength/terahertz energy may provide detection and identification capability for explosive materials concealed underneath a person's clothing or in nonmetallic baggage.
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From page 5...
... The cost of a system, the probability of detection, the false-alarm rate, and the throughput versus that of a competing x-ray system would impact the management decision. RECOMMENDATIONS Building on the conclusions presented above, the committee makes the following recommendations to the Transportation Security Administration regarding the application of millimeter-wavelength/terahertz technology to security screening.
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From page 6...
... 6. The TSA should follow a two-pronged investment strategy: • Focus on millimeter-wave imaging as a candidate system for evaluation and deployment in the near term, and • Invest in research and development and track national technology developments in the terahertz region.
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Key Terms

  • spectral features
  • aviation security
  • air transportation
  • security administration
  • explosive materials

  • solid materials
  • concealed underneath
  • terahertz region
  • materials concealed
  • concealed objects

  • threats exist
  • apparently cooler
  • intensified public
  • sensor modalities
  • broadband spectral

  • counterterrorism resources
  • provide detection
  • ready testbed
  • transportation focused
  • micron wavelength

  • frequencies increase
  • collecting naturally
  • increasingly complex
  • guns concealed
  • usually results

  • meeting aviation
  • cooler metal
  • security technologies
  • controlled passenger
  • unique spectral


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