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This work is intended to jointly address the development, realization and applications of emitters and detectors of terahertz (THz-0.3 THz up to 10 THz) and their application to diagnostics of CBRN effects and detection of explosives and CBRN. Hazardous substances typically exhibit rotational and vibrational transitions in this region, hence giving access to spectroscopic analysis of a large variety of molecules which play a key role in security as well as various other areas, e.g. air pollution, climate research, industrial process control, agriculture, food industry, workplace safety and medical diagnostics can be monitored by sensing and identifying them via THz (0.3 to 10 THz) and mid infrared (MIR-10 THz to 100 THz) absorption “finger prints”. Most plastics, textiles and paper are nearly transparent for THz radiation.

The reader will find here a timely update on new THz sources and detection schemes as well as concrete applications to the detection of Explosives and CBRN. Included is a method to identify hidden RDX-based explosives (pure and plastic ones) in the frequency domain study by Fourier Transformation, which has been complemented by the demonstration of improvement of the quality of the images captured commercially available THz passive cameras. The presented examples show large potential for the detection of small hidden objects at long distances (6-10 m). Complementing the results in the short-wavelength range, laser spectroscopy with a mid-infrared, room temperature, continuous wave, DFB laser diode and high performance DFB QCL have been demonstrated to offer excellent enabling sensor technologies for environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, industrial and security applications. From the new source point of view a number of systems have been presented - From superconductors to semiconductors, e.g. Detection of Terahertz Waves from Superconducting Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ Intrinsic Josephson Junctions. The quest for a compact room temperature THz source and the recent advances in high power mid-IR QCLs lead to the development of a semiconductor THz source based on intracavity difference frequency generation. Furthermore, alternative electrically pumped THz sources based on the high emission efficiency predicted for polaritonic states in the ultra-strong coupling regime led to the demonstration of electroluminescent devices. Finally, antipolaritons in dispersive media were discussed and different aspects of the interaction of THz radiation with biomatter were presented.