The 3D Terahertz Imaging Systems are an addition to the TeraPulse 4000 product-range. It has been enhanced for non-destructive determination of the performance and integrity of finished tablet coatings and cores, and other solid dosage forms.
Centered upon TeraView’s proprietary semiconductor-based THz pulsed technology and more than 70 patented technologies and processes, the system yields full 360° imaging of total tablet coatings and cores. It is based on a decade of experience in tablet imaging collected through work with TeraView customers and collaborators.
The system offers THz image analysis which allows users to establish the uniformity, thickness, density and coverage of simple and complex coatings and to identify structural features such as dislocations, cracks, and delaminations in single and multilayer cores.
Product Features
- Non-destructive 3D volumetric imaging of solid dosage forms
- Offers critically informative data on coating, solid dosage core, and interfacial structures
- Mapping of thickness and density uniformity of numerous coating layers and bilayer cores
- Modular: part of TeraPulse series of modules
Technical Specification
| THz pulsed system |
| Terahertz source |
Proprietary laser gated photo-conductive semiconductor emitter |
| Terahertz detector |
Proprietary laser gated photo-conductive semiconductor receiver |
| Spectral range |
0.06 THz – 4 THz (10 cm-1 – 133 cm-1) |
| 3D THz image analysis - Spatial resolution |
| At surface |
160 μm @ 2.58 THz |
| 3D THz image analysis - Layer thickness resolution |
| Near surface |
30 μm |
| Layer thickness precision |
2 μm |
| Penetration depth |
3 mm (typical), larger penetration possible, material dependent |
| Sample size |
5 – 20 mm |
| Data point interval |
Point-to-point: 50 – 500 μm, user selectable
Continuous scan: 200 μm nominal |
Image acquisition rate
(depends on surface area) |
5 mm x 10 mm diameter circular biconvex tablet with center band
Point-to-point: 32 min (@ 200 μm)
Continuous scan: 22 min |
| Integrated computer |
| Network/data transfer |
External USB port |
| Environmental - Robotic sampling system |
| Dimensions |
1000 mm (w) x 1000 mm (d) x 1950 mm (h) |
| Power requirements |
90 to 250 VAC, 47 to 63 Hz single phase |
| Compressed air supply |
90 psi (6 bar) supply line, up to 175 L/minute |
| Location requirements |
within 0.5 m (20 in) of TeraPulse 4000 |
| Operating temperature |
18 °C (64 °F) – 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Operating humidity |
20 - 80% (non-condensing) |
| Environmental |
| Dimensions |
702 mm (w) x 645 mm (d) x 468 mm (h) |
| Weight |
70 kg |
| Power requirements |
90 to 250 VAC, 47 to 63 Hz single phase |
| Power consumption |
300 VA |
| Operating temperature* |
18 °C (64 °F) – 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Operating humidity |
20 – 80% (non-condensing) |
*For best performance during long-term measurements, ambient temperature variations must not exceed 1 °C (0.8 °F) in a 1-hour period and 2 °C (3.6 °F) over an 8 hour period.