Absorption coefficients of selected explosives and related compounds in the range of 0.1-2.8 THz

We have investigated the absorption spectra of seventeen explosives and related compounds ( ERCs) by using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy in the 0.1-2.8 THz region. Most of these substances show characteristic absorption features in this frequency range. The measured absorption coefficients of these ERCs form a database, which is of great importance for biochemical, defense and security related applications. (c) 2007 Optical Society of America.