University of Hyderabad Researchers Successfully Measure Terahertz Radar Cross-Sections Using 0.3 THz RADAR System
Breakthrough research enables real-time detection of concealed explosives and metallic objects
Hyderabad | CampusKatta News
The research group of the DIA – Centre of Excellence (ACRHEM) at the School of Physics, University of Hyderabad (UoH) has achieved a significant scientific milestone by successfully measuring the terahertz radar cross-sections (TRCS) of canonical metallic objects using a 0.3 THz RADAR system.
The advanced study was led by Senior Professor Dr. Anil Kumar Chaudhary and Senior Research Scholar Dr. Chandan Ghorui (PMRF, Former CSIR, DST & DRDO), marking an important contribution to terahertz sensing, defense technology, and public security applications.
Validation of 0.3 THz SiGe Radar System
The research team experimentally validated a 0.3 THz Silicon Germanium (SiGe) radar system for determining the radar cross-sections of metallic objects under standoff mode conditions.
A physical-optics-based numerical simulation framework was employed to study the influence of:
- Polarization of THz radiation
- Target orientation
- Incident energy
- Surface coatings
- Aspect, azimuth, and elevation angles
This comprehensive approach enabled accurate characterization of THz radar interactions with metallic targets.
Canonical Objects Successfully Characterized
Using the validated system, the researchers successfully analyzed the TRCS of several canonical metallic objects, including:
- Circular flat plates
- Finite-length cylinders
- Elliptical targets
The study revealed that the strength of reflected THz signals strongly depends on both:
- Radar signal bandwidth
- Target distance
All measurements were conducted at an average stand-off distance of 2.0 meters.
Real-Time Detection of Hidden Explosives and Metals
A major highlight of the research was the successful calibration of the 0.3 THz radar system for real-time detection of explosives and metallic materials.
Distinctive reflection peaks were clearly observed when:
- Objects were placed in direct line of sight
- Objects were concealed behind a 2 mm thick cardboard barrier
This demonstrates the radar system’s capability to detect concealed threats non-invasively, even through common obstruction materials.
Strong Potential for Security and Defense Applications
The validated 0.3 THz radar prototype shows strong promise for deployment in real-world environments, offering:
- Rapid detection
- Non-contact and non-destructive inspection
- High sensitivity to concealed metallic and explosive materials
Such capabilities are particularly valuable in public security, defense surveillance, airport screening, and counter-terrorism operations, where conventional detection tools face limitations.
Published in Prestigious IEEE Journal
The research findings have been published in a high-impact, Q1 journal:
IEEE Sensors Journal
Volume 26, Issue 1, Pages 264–276 (2026)
📌 Title:
Detection of real-time hidden metallic object using prototype THz radar system for public security and defense application
