Terahertz imaging - new steps toward real-life applications

We are studying several novel steps toward real-life applications of terahertz and millimeter waves, such as, i) Non-destructive detection of illicit drugs using spectral fingerprints, ii) Laser-terahertz emission microscope for semiconductor device under test, iii) Real-time inspection system to detect micro-leak defects in the seal of flexible plastic packages, iv) Prism-shaped Fabry-Perot etalon for absorption measurement, v) Development of terahertz direct detector using superconducting tunnel junctions, vi) Water content measurement in plants and seeds, vii) Monitoring of water/ice state in food stuffs, viii) Non-thermal effect of millimeter wave radiation on cell membrane. In this paper, we introduce some of our recent activities.