Hey Reader, Happy Wednesday!

I'm taking a short break for the first time in the last 2 years of writing this newsletter, so I'm resending one of the most opened and popular newsletters this week. Thank you all for your support!

Let’s look at how Airport body scanning technology works this week. It is also called Millimeter wave detection and spot this title written on one of these machines the next time you are at an airport.

I aim to write my newsletter issues in a way one can follow them while traveling on a bus, having a coffee, waiting for food, etc. Let's jump in!

How it works: 15-second answer

The airport body scanners emit low-power millimeter waves (type of electromagnetic waves) that pass through clothing. The transmitter, acting as a receiver, measures how long the waves take to return, creating a detailed image of the person's body. If objects like weapons or explosives are concealed, they disrupt the wave patterns appearing different from an ideal whole-body silhouette of a person. By rotating around the person, the scanner captures a full-body view, which security personnel review to detect any hidden items, ensuring safe travel through airports.

How does Airport body scanning technology work?

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Introduction

Millimeter wave detection is a technology used in airports for security screening purposes. It enables the detection of concealed objects or threats on a person’s body without requiring physical contact or the need to remove clothing.

What is a millimeter wave?

Millimeter waves are electromagnetic waves with frequencies ranging from 30 to 300 gigahertz (GHz). These waves have short wavelengths, typically between 1 and 10 millimeters, hence the name “millimeter wave.” They have the same speed as light but are not visible to the naked eye.

How do Millimeter wave scanners work?

The scanning device uses small transmitter discs (to emit waves) stacked on one another like vertebrae in a spine. They are stacked vertically so as to scan you from head to toe. The scanner has two stacks on the opposite ends of a machine, protected by a curved shell called a radome. The transmitter emits low-power millimeter waves that pass through a person’s clothes.

The same transmitter now acts as a receiver and detects the returning signal. The distance is calculated by measuring the time it takes for waves to travel to an object and back. By timing this round-trip, the scanner determines the distance.

How are concealed objects detected by the scanner?

If a person is concealing any objects under their clothing, such as weapons, explosives, or other prohibited items, these objects can cause disruptions in the millimeter waves’ transmission and scattering patterns from the ideal whole body silhouette of a person. They are scattered or diffracted.

How are irregularities and anomalies caught?

This information helps create a detailed representation of the object or person being scanned. By rotating the stacks around the person, the scanner creates a full picture of the person’s body, capturing details from head to toe and front to back.

Trained security personnel review the generated images to identify any irregularities or anomalies that may indicate the presence of concealed objects. And, this is how airport body scanners work!

Task of the week

The next time you take a flight, spot the technology and observe if you notice any difference around this time. The experience of using a technology before and after understanding it is completely different. Looking forward to hearing from you.

That's all folks. Thank you for reading!

Have an amazing rest of the week, and take care!
Until next to next Wednesday,
Chendur

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