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Terahertz Systems: Technology and Emerging Markets
Thintri, Inc, Oct 2007
Terahertz Systems: Technology and Emerging Markets, is a new study that explores the current state of terahertz technology and market opportunities for systems operating in the terahertz range. This in-depth investigation discusses terahertz technologies already creating markets, emerging technologies that are set to create new market opportunities, the technical hurdles that must be overcome for wider commercial acceptance of terahertz systems, and overall market development. The report surveys today’s terahertz technology, separates hype from reality and assesses the applications where terahertz technology will open up significant new markets, and those where it won’t, including bracketed market forecasts for 2012 and 2017.
Terahertz Technology Overview
Terahertz Basics
Health & Safety Issues
Imaging
Spectroscopy
Sources
Electronic & Electromagnetic sources, free electron lasers
Optical generation and laser-driven sources
Quantum cascade lasers
Detectors
Bolometers
Heterodyne detectors
Pyroelectric detectors
Focal plane arrays
Plasmon detectors
Emerging detector technologies
Terahertz Systems
Hardware considerations
CW vs. pulsed systems
Guided wave devices, endoscopes
Cameras
Standards & knowledge base issues
The Industry Today
Commercial hype vs. building markets
Deployment issues
Funding
Industry & government participation
Markets
Today’s terahertz markets
Emerging applications
Medicine & Biological
Civilian Security
Defense
Manufacturing
Wireless communications
Research, environmental and space science
Market feasibility & requirements
The next 5-10 years
Background on Terahertz Systems
Terahertz radiation, that portion of the spectrum between infrared and microwaves, has seldom been used constructively outside astronomy and other scientific research. Lately, however, it has begun to receive attention for its ability to enable a host of new applications in security, medical diagnostics, DNA analysis, industrial process control, wireless communications and other areas.
Terahertz radiation possesses unique characteristics not found in other portions of the spectrum. It penetrates to some degree almost any material except water or metal, and matches in frequency the motion of an enormous range of chemical and biological molecules. It can be used for spectroscopy, revealing chemical composition of materials outside the range of other bands like microwaves, and also for imaging, such as scanning airline passengers to detect weapons hidden under clothing. The two modalities can be used together; a terahertz system could not only identify a concealed weapon carried by an airline passenger, but could also reveal a material carried by that same passenger and distinguish between an explosive and a harmless cosmetic, all without danger to the passengers undergoing screening.
The transparency of most materials to terahertz light, which is what makes it so promising, has also limited the ability to use it for practical applications outside of research. Using radiation that can pass through so many materials so well makes detection difficult. In addition, sources to generate light at terahertz frequencies have suffered from low output intensity and other problems.
Since the 1990s, technical breakthroughs in sources and detectors have brought terahertz technology within striking distance of significant commercial markets. While work still needs to be done on components and systems to improve performance and lower cost, there are commercial terahertz systems on the market today, used for product inspection and material evaluation. Industry participants are already planning for the growth of new markets that capitalize on the unique capabilities of terahertz technology.
Just a few of the applications that are envisioned in this one technology arena:
Airport screening of passengers for weapons, explosives, drugs or other contraband
Secure wireless communications
Cancer detection
Imaging in dentistry
Biochip analysis of DNA, proteins and other biological materials
Detection of chemical and biological warfare agents
Detection of land mines and buried explosive devices
Measuring the water content of food to detect spoilage
Inspecting finished products through packaging
Determining the thickness of a layer of paint while it is still wet
Quality control of insulated wires during manufacture
Inspecting semiconductor wafers for defects
Inspecting (and even reading) unopened mail
With all the legitimate promise of terahertz systems, the field has also been clouded by hype. Certain applications have been widely promoted that, according to experts actually working in the development of these systems, are not practical or in some cases even feasible. The ensuing backlash has led some to take a skeptical attitude to terahertz technology in general, and unfairly dismiss viable applications that are likely to create significant markets.
Understand the Markets
The market study, Terahertz Systems: Technology and Emerging Markets, relies on extensive, in-depth interviews with industry executives, market development managers and government and academic researchers. The report provides a survey of the current state of the art in terahertz technology, an assessment of potential applications in terms of their viability and requirements in technology development, discussion of market development and bracketed forecasts for individual markets in 2012 and 2017.
The road ahead in terahertz technology is by no means clear; entire markets will hinge on the ability of developers to improve the performance (and/or lower the cost) of basic technology components like sources and detectors. What is clear is that the terahertz industry as a whole is on the verge of significant growth. This market study represents a consensus among industry experts on a timetable of development to determine the most likely course of development in terahertz systems, and determine the consequent viability of individual emerging markets
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