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Terahertz Scanners See Inside Sealed Packages

Posted by michael on from the naughty-bits dept.

opticsorg writes "Japanese scientists have demonstrated a system that detects the presence of illicit drugs that are concealed within an envelope. Tests to date have shown that the imaging system can successfully detect and identify a range of substances including ecstasy (MDMA) and methamphetamine. The researchers are now working with companies to develop a mail screening system that could suit use in post offices and airports."

6 of 647 comments (clear)

  1. All I have to say... by toupsie · · Score: 5, Funny

    Bad scientist, bad, bad scientist! Go cure cancer or something useful!

    --
    Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.
  2. Makes sense ... by obsidianpreacher · · Score: 2, Funny

    ... because you know that every drug dealer makes his/her shipments for $0.37 through the United States Postal Service, saving thousands and thousands of dollars a year on trunk repair and gasoline charges ...

    --
    topreacher@signature.slashdot.org 1% rm -rf sig
  3. Not long until by Polly_was_a_cracker · · Score: 4, Funny

    Someone figures out how to reflect these waves to give off false or misleading information... And since the intent seems to be to keep peoples rights intact, you cant just open the package. This will only last as a viable anti drug solution until three MIT stoners get bored.

    --
    I have a Cig, but do you have a light?
  4. But what about... by GillBates0 · · Score: 2, Funny
    The OPO is made from a nonlinear crystal (MgO:LiNbO3) that is pumped by a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser.

    ...the effects of the Q-switched Nd: YAG laser on ultrascopic beta-molecular SCOTRON orbitals? Have they thought about that?

    --
    An Indian-American Hindu committed to non-violent thought/speech/action alarmed by the global explosion of radical Islam
  5. Someone messed up... by Undaar · · Score: 2, Funny

    "At the heart of the Japanese system is a compact and tunable optical parametric oscillator (OPO) that emits terahertz waves. The OPO is made from a nonlinear crystal (MgO:LiNbO3) that is pumped by a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. It emits terahertz radiation that is tunable between 1 and 2.5 THz.

    Terahertz waves of several different frequencies are scanned over the envelope and the transmitted radiation is picked up by a pyroelectric bolometer and analyzed by a computer."

    Someone seems to have messed up and posted a garbled version of the page. Can someone please post the English version?

    --
    ~ "When I'm of that age I'm just going to live up a tree."
  6. Re:Marijuana Does Not Cause Reckless Driving by Tackhead · · Score: 2, Funny
    > Then you shouldn't drive while high.
    >
    > Just like you shouldn't drink while drunk.

    Proofreading while drunk is also not recommended.