Terasense terahertz imaging scanners

Terahertz (THz) imaging scanners by Terasense offer imaging sensors for the non-destructive analysis of the internal structure of objects, making them suitable for applications in food inspection, agricultural inspection and detecting the contents of packages.

Food manufacturers can use THz food scanners to check if a pick-and-place robotic arm has put all chocolate bars into a cardboard carton. They can see through cardboard or PE packaging as individual chocolate bars can be wrapped in any material, even metal-containing foil, which is impervious to THz rays.

The food scanner can gently and quickly prompt the conveyor-line operator and indicate if a seasoning sachet is missing in a noodle pack. Noodle containers are usually made of plastic or synthetic foam (polyfoam), which is transparent to THz waves.

THz imaging systems can detect insects and other foreign objects such as a common housefly through several polyethylene bags, even if total thickness of such PET coating exceeds 20 mm. It can also detect metal or plastic debris inside food packaging.

The imaging systems reveal carcinogenic mycotoxin fungus that contaminates peanuts, corn, hazelnuts and other grain crops and oil plants. For instance, with the aid of THz imagers, industrial customers can detect any sign of infections such as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which exude the extremely dangerous carcinogen Aflatoxin B₁.