Graphene photodetectors come out

Ultra-thin terahertz band photodetectors developed using the light absorption properties of graphene are coming soon. This photodetector can non-contactly see things under the surface of clothing, body tissues, plastics and other non-metallic objects. Most existing terahertz detectors are bulky, slow, and operating temperatures must be kept close to absolute zero (about 4 Kelvin). Now, the University of Maryland, Monash, Australia, has developed a prototype of a room temperature ultra-thin terahertz band photodetector that can be detected one million times faster than existing products.

The principle is that graphene has its electrons absorbing light and detects the presence of terahertz waves. These terahertz electromagnetic waves cannot penetrate water or metal. They are also non-ionized, so they do not damage body tissues or DNA. It can therefore be used on security scanners to find hidden weapons without infringing body privacy. It can also make medical imaging safer and more effective. Other applications include chemical sensing, remote bomb detection, night vision goggles/cameras, and more.