System and method for monitoring changes in state of matter with terahertz radiation
US6849852B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 28, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 1, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 13, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2021/1761
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method for using terahertz radiation to detect and monitor a substance undergoing a change in phase from a liquid phase to a solid phase or vice-versa is disclosed. By employing terahertz radiation in either the pulsed mode or in the continuous-wave (CW) mode, the system can non-invasively monitor these changes. The system uses the principle that matter in a liquid state will absorb and attenuate terahertz radiation to a larger degree than matter in a semisolid or solid state. Most terahertz radiation absorption occurs due to the rotational motions of molecules, i.e. either whole molecules or groups of atoms rotating about molecular bonds.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.