Naturally occurring moisture in air
absorbs terahertz waves, weakening the signal and sensing capabilities.
That's likely because grass has lots of water, which tends to
absorb terahertz waves.
The technology can also identify some substances, liquids included, by the way
they absorb terahertz waves.
In a new paper, electrical engineers at Duke University demonstrate the first completely dielectric (non-metal) electromagnetic metamaterial — a surface dimpled with cylinders like the face of a Lego brick that is designed to
absorb terahertz waves.
Not exact matches
Physical tests showed that the new «metasurface»
absorbed 97.5 percent of the energy produced by waves at 1.011
terahertz.