Wu Shuai, general manager of the Bowei Thaherz Information Technology Co [Photo from WeChat account hefeigaoxinfabu]

A Hefei company has had its voice heard in the international arena for renovating the imaging technology of security inspection devices. 

Wu Shuai, general manager of Bowei Thaherz Information Technology Co, briefed listeners about how the company has put terahertz radiation into practical use. 

Terahertz, abbreviated THz, is a unit of electromagnetic wave frequency equal to one trillion hertz. It is used as an indicator of the frequency of infrared, visible, and ultraviolet radiation. 

Due to its wave length and penetrating power, terahertz is particularly fit for imaging, one of the critical technologies needed for security inspection devices. 

In the face of core imaging chip technologies being monopolized by overseas companies, the Hefei-based Bowei geared up with a terahertz-inspired inspection system, which can absorb terahertz waves radiated by the human body and decode them into a "snapshot". When someone hides something in their clothes, their waves will be partly blocked and a piece of shadow will be reflected on the snapshots.

Security inspection devices applying Terahertz imaging technologies [Photo from WeChat account hefeigaoxinfabu]

"We have made key breakthroughs in imaging technologies and all our products, from accessories to complete appliances, and all are manufactured in China. This will greatly boost the development of domestic terahertz industry," Wu said. 

The inspection devices have been applied at some border checkpoints and at the first China International Import Expo, which was held in Shanghai from Nov 5 to 10. 

In Wu's opinion, terahertz has broad prospects. Aside from current imaging technology, it can also be used in telecommunications, biomedicine, space exploration, and non-destructive testing.