by Giuseppe Gagliano –
Chinese scientists have recently made a revolutionary discovery in the field of terahertz technology, which has made it possible to identify extremely weak surface vibrations, generated by a low-frequency sound source in the open sea, of just 10 nanometers in height, well below the detection capacity of existing technologies.
This advanced detection technique has shown enormous potential not only for locating submarines, but also for gathering crucial information such as their sound signature or pattern. The scientists involved highlighted the enormous application potential of this technology in the field of submarine detection and other areas.
Terahertz technology sits between microwaves and infrared and is emerging as a promising solution for future communications technologies, including 6G. This frequency range can carry more information than current communication methods and collect data about the surrounding environment. In China, some airports already use terahertz scanners to identify illegal objects hidden under passengers’ clothes.
According to South China Morning Post, the experiment took place off Dalian in the northeast Yellow Sea, with favorable weather conditions but significant waves producing many bubbles. An artificial sound source was used to simulate the noise of a submarine, while the detector was mounted on an extended arm of a research vessel, imitating the flight of a drone.
When a submarine moves rapidly, it emits noise that travels to the surface, creating vibrations. It was previously considered impossible to distinguish these vibrations from natural ocean waves. However, the térahertz sensor successfully detected artificial waves with amplitudes of 10 to 100 nanometers, depending on sea conditions. Terahertz technology could also be used for underwater communications.
An interesting aspect is the ability to encode messages in surface vibrations too weak to be detected by the enemy, useful for submarines that need to establish contact with allied aircraft. Furthermore, 6G has shown success in short-distance communication experiments between water and air, opening up new possibilities for communication between terrestrial and maritime elements.
In summary, this breakthrough in the field of submarine detection has the potential to transform military operations and maritime security by offering a more precise and effective method for detecting submarines.
