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New Terahertz Detectors for Improved Airport Screening and Medical Imaging

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories, Rice University, and the Tokyo Institute of Technology are developing new terahertz detectors based on carbon nanotubes that could lead to significant improvements in medical imaging, airport passenger screening, food inspection, and other applications. The detector features several nanoscopic-sized tubes, creating a macroscopic thin film that contains a mix of metallic and semiconducting carbon nanotubes. It detects light in the terahertz frequency range without cooling. Historically, the terahertz frequency range has presented great promise along with vexing challenges for researchers. In this video, Sandia researcher François Léonard explains the work.