Laser pat-down: Invisible scanners to secretly search people [RT]
July 13, 2012 Leave a comment
American security wants to deploy laser scanners, which would discretely screen people for traces of explosives, drugs and gunpowder without their consent. They would even look through clothes from up to 50 meters away.
The device is being developed by Genia Photonics, producer of advanced picosecond fiber-based laser systems for spectroscopic applications, reports Gizmodo. The work is funded by the Department of Homeland Security through the non-profit venture capital firm In-Q-Tel and may result in a workable product as early as two years’ time.
The rack-mounted scanners may be installed at airports, stadiums and other locations as soon as available.
The machine shoots very short pulses of laser beam to cause vibration in molecules and detects the signature of the optical signal it produces. The technique allows detection of trace amounts of the chemicals it is adjusted to find.
