The SDA (Spectral Dynamics Analysis) method was applied for the detection and identification of ceramic explosives (a mixture of Al₂O₃ with Hexogen or Penthryte) hidden under different coverings - thin, rough, thick layers of Polyethylene foils and a layer of cotton. We analyzed THz pulses reflected from the samples at different angles - nearly 90° (Stand-Off reflection) and 45° (Specular reflection). We showed that in some cases the presence of covering can significantly distort the spectral properties of the reflected THz signal. Nevertheless, it is possible to find the identifiers characterizing the presence of explosive under the covering analyzing the spectrograms and dynamics of spectral lines of the main pulses and the sub-pulses following the main pulse.

Date Published: 9 May 2012
PDF: 16 pages
Proc. SPIE 8363, Terahertz Physics, Devices, and Systems VI: Advanced Applications in Industry and Defense, 83630M (9 May 2012); doi: 10.1117/12.919750

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 8363:
Terahertz Physics, Devices, and Systems VI: Advanced Applications in Industry and Defense
A. F. Mehdi Anwar; Nibir K. Dhar; Thomas W. Crowe, Editor(s)