Laser Scanner To Detect Bombs

A new laser system is being developed that can supposedly check people for traces of illegal drugs, firearms or incendiary devices - and can even tell what they had to eat.

The system being developed by Genia Photonics uses a technique called laser spectroscopy that looks for trace elements of chemical compounds and radiation.

FoxNews.com said the idea is to scan passengers at an airport checkpoint or border crossing, or even someone in a crowd at a sporting event.

However, a US government source said the laser detectors, while potentially useful, would not be available until 2016 at the earliest.

Genia announced late last year that it was working with security company In-Q-Tel, which was chartered in 1999 at the request of the CIA, to develop the laser technology.

"We offer a number of tunable laser systems which are great sources for many spectroscopic applications," said Genia vice president Joseph Salhany.

"They are fast-tuning fibre-based laser sources that can be coupled or integrated with appropriate detection systems to create the desired scanning solution."

But Mr Salhany declined to elaborate on specific plans for how the lasers would be used, and In-Q-Tel declined to comment about the technology or any specific plans to work with the Department Of Homeland Security.

Xicheng Zhang, a professor of lasers and optics at the University of Rochester, said the Genia system uses "terahertz" waveforms to detect explosives.

These signals cause a minor reaction in whatever they hit when passing through clothes or luggage. An explosive device would cause a specific reaction that the system could trace.

But security expert Mychal Wilson said the laser system could do much more than detect bombs.

"Laser-based molecular scanners will enable ... officials to identify explosives, dangerous chemicals and bioweapons on its passengers," he said.

"They can also detect drugs, alcohol - and your breakfast, lunch and dinner. Even your adrenaline level will be available for government analysis.

"Everything about your body will be available to the government and logged into a database."

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