Terahertz Signature Modeling for Kill Assessment and Warhead Materials Identification

Our Phase I study provided quantitative results that showed feasibility for scenarios of interest. It included both the details of signatures and the sensitivity for THz sensor systems with realistic parameters. In Phase II we will extend these results to create a non-scenario specific model that will serve as an interface with the intercept community allowing the capabilities of the THz to be optimized for kill assessment. Key elements of the model will include appropriate description of the temperatures of the several degrees of freedom for both the gas and the debris; chemical and physical models for the expanding cloud; pressure broadening, doppler broadening, and collisional processes: more detailed modeling of the debris cross-sections. In addition, we expect to acquire currently unavailable Thz signature measurements, which with the model effort, will guide the system design for Thz signature detection. The work plan includes the following elements: Develop a model for THz signature generation; Generation of THz spectral signature data; Provide system design for THz signature detection; Assemble a sparse signal THz detection module; Integrate THz results with MDA code contractor(s).