Non destructive observation of defects in dielectric materials and prospects for diagnostics of infrastructure and cultural heritage

Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy and THz imaging techniques are expected to have great potential for carrying out the non-invasive and non-contact observation of defects in dielectric materials. THz waves can penetrate opaque materials and they can perform three-dimensional material mapping non-destructively by spectroscopic imaging. We have proved that THz imaging can detect defects in multi-layer objects, such as artworks, and the results can be used to develop algorithms of ageing diagnosis, failure prediction and lifetime estimation of various infrastructure constructions as well as cultural heritage.