Terahertz radiation is that which has wavelengths between microwaves and visible light, and these frequencies show promise in a new class of imaging systems.The problem is that detectors that pick up THz wavelengths can be bulky, slow, expensive, difficult to run under practical conditions, or some combination of these.But in a new study, researchers at MIT, Samsung and the University of Minnesota have developed a system that can detect THz pulses quickly, precisely and at regular room temperature and pressure.Recent work has shown that these tiny particles will fluoresce in visible light when they’re struck by terahertz waves, and that visible light can then be captured by a conventional camera detector.In tests, the team says that the new device was able to pick up THz pulses at intensity levels far lower than existing systems can, while also being much smaller and cheaper to make."