Goodbye stripping, hello t-ray glasses
Perhaps this is the wrong forum for this, but I'll post it here anyway.
I thought long and hard about posting this due to the sensitive nature
of the information and how I obtained it. However, I finally decided that it was important to SW members and if I was to post it, it had to be today.
I've had this for some time now, but I've been afraid that there might be 'repurcusions' if I did anything with it. Now another fear has surfaced and I realized it might make me safer if I did post this.
A customer that comes into the club (we affectionately refer to him as the 'mad scientist') is a regular of another dancer. Apparently he works at some government lab of some kind. He came in a while back... I chatted with him awhile as he waited for his dancer... when she got free she took him in back for a long VIP session... but he forgot his overcoat. When I picked up the coat to bring it to him a large folded up stack of documents fell out from an inner pocket. Normally I always respect the privacy of a customer, and I am ashamed to say that my curiousity overcame my better judgement. As I was picked up the documents I noticed some interesting diagrams and photos and began reading. I hurried into a corner of the changing room and made some notes. Needless to say I returned the coat and documents before the VIP was over and the customer was none the wiser. I have not seen the customer since and his dancer has recently stopped working here. Nobody seems to know where she went. Perhaps I'm just being paranoid. Anyway, FWIW, here's some stuff from my notes. Nothing was marked classified and some things had already been blacked out. Unfortunately I am unable to reproduce any of the drawings/diagrams.
Some background:
TeraHertz Rays, or T-rays, were discovered a century ago.
T-rays are far-infrared or terahertz frequency (trillion-cycle-per-second) radiation. T-rays are sensitive to very small changes in the composition of the materials they pass through, so they’re excellent for imaging. They also have the highly desirable property that they don’t damage living tissues. Because T-rays are low energy, they are also very safe to use around people, unlike X-rays.
In the late 1990s, researchers were examining t-rays as an alternative to dental x-rays. The idea was that t-rays, operating in the deep-infrared region just before wavelengths stretch into microwaves, would be able to spot decay without harmful ionizing radiation. In tests, the researchers fired powerful but extremely short pulses of laser light at a semiconductor chip, producing terahertz radiation (so called because it has frequencies of trillions of waves per second). Passing through gaps or different thicknesses of material changes the rays' flight time, so by measuring how long each t-ray took to pass through an extracted tooth and reach a detector, the researchers were able to assemble a 3-D picture of the tooth.
T-rays pass through things like food packaging, clothing, plastic and cardboard enabling the imaging of what is inside. Recognised as a difficult area of physics, T-rays are described as emissions between infrared and microwaves. Most molecules vibrate in the terahertz frequency. With frequencies around a million million cycles per second (the prefix tera- refers to a factor of 10 to the power of 12). These rays lie in the region between infra-red and microwave radio frequencies, a region that’s sometimes called quasi-optics. It’s a type of radiation that has been hard to generate in the past, but a team at [blacked out] Research Laboratory has recently found a relatively simple way, by firing a laser at a semiconductor crystal.
Apparently, the first imaging system based on something called "optoelectronic terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS)" has been developed!
The terahertz (THz) imaging system analyzes the frequency dependence in the time domain using a digital signal processor (DSP) at every pixel of an object. The system consists of:
* A source of repetitive femtosecond optical pulses.
* An optically gated transmitter of THz transients with a broad spectral bandwidth.
* An imaging system consisting of lenses and/or mirrors.
* An object under investigation (like PEOPLE!)
* A time-gated detector or detector array.
* A scanning mirror that changes the time delay between the femtosecond gating pulses on the THz transmitter and detector to temporally convert the THz-frequency waves down into the acoustic (KHz) range so they can be processed by electronic techniques.
* A DSP (Digital Signal Processor) to process the time-domain data and extract the desired information.
* A display to view the image.
THz-TDS is a very powerful spectroscopic technique in the far-infrared spectral region. When the terahertz radiation is generated and detected using optically gated transmitters and receivers, it offers a signal-to-noise ratio of up to 10,000 to one, doesn't require cooled detectors, can be built into a compact system, and has transmitter and detector technology that is compatible with integrated circuit technology.
A typical THz transmitter emits a single cycle of electro- magnetic radiation centered at 1 THz after being illuminated by a 100-femtosecond laser pulse from either a modelocked Ti:Sapphire or Cr:LiSAF laser operating around 800 nm. Because of the short duration of the THz-transient, the spectrum is broadband, typically extending from less than 100 GHz to several THz.
Sampling techniques based on the repetitive nature (typically about 100 MHz repetition rate) of the optical and THz pulses can be used to measure the THz waveforms, provided that the sampling window is shorter than any THz transient to be measured.
As with a sampling scope, the delay between the THz waveform and the detector gating pulse is scanned slowly at a rate of about 10-100 Hz. Thus, each sampling pulse samples the THz pulse at a somewhat different time, until the entire THz waveform has been reconstructed from the samples. This leads to a "temporal down conversion" of the THz waveform into the kHz range, where it can readily be processed by electronics.
A waveform for each pixel is frequency analyzed in real time with a digital signal processor (DSP) to extract compositional information. The digital signal processor was programmed to recognize the characteristic shapes of transmitted waveforms and identify the particular density at the spot illuminated by the T-ray beam. An electronic chip processes the data and translates it into images that appear on a screen. For example, fat absorbs almost no T-rays, flesh absorbs roughly 25 times as many T-rays, materials like cotton, nylon, raylon, polyester, wool, etc. each have a unique 'signature' that can be filtered out. Materials can be characterized by measuring the amounts of distortion -- from absorption, dispersion and reflection -- of the T-rays passing through to the detector.
Although terahertz time-domain spectroscopy has been done experimentally in the past, it has never before been used in an imaging system. [Blacked out] has now demonstrated an innovative imaging system that uses optics and electronics to image covered objects -- just as X-rays "see through" outer materials to reveal different materials inside.
The technology relies on a new, portable, compact free-electron laser. Previous attempts with semiconductors produced only wimpy T-rays, 1/2,000th of a watt at most. Now technology allows devices which produce hundreds of watts...enough to project an invisible beam which allows a T-ray camera to work well enough to image an entire person when deflected by a small magnetic field. T-rays are emitted by all the objects around you, but they cannot be seen by humans. T-rays can go through just about anything except metal and water. Terahertz waves are unique because they can pass easily through some solid materials, yet they can also be focused as light to create images of objects behind the obscuring material. As a result of their short wavelengths, they are ideal for imaging someone in real time as viewed without their clothes. Detecting T-rays allows a camera to effectively see through smoke, walls and even clothing.
In fact, a camera built by [blacked out] and working in similar millimetric waves already last year had demonstrated the ability to peer through clothes with much of a person's body. It can effectively also denude a fully clothed human.
Sorry for my jumbled notes... I had to take them in a hurry. The papers indicate that the camera and 'video glasses' are working and the technology has been sold to a Chinese company. Written plans were in there indicating possible mass marketing target ads, etc. With this potentially affordable device, ANYONE can view fully nude people right on the street. Perverts will no longer need 'up-skirt' cameras. As far as modesty goes, clothes will become superfluous. And incidentally, naked appearing women can be seen anywhere... no need to go to a nude beach or strip club unless people start wearing metal-lined clothes. Is this the end of stripping as we know it??
I CHOOSE to strip in a club... but a woman in public, etc. doesn't. I think this raises some privacy issues. My intention is the 'expose' (pun intended) this technology before these devices start hitting the street. I am not sure how soon these glasses and cameras will be available, but they will certainly be availble to gadget freaks before the end of this year. I am sure that there is big money involved that would not appreciate any attempts to short-circuit their plans. I know, I'm taking a risk, so if something should happen to me...
Re: Goodbye stripping, hello t-ray glasses
Re: Goodbye stripping, hello t-ray glasses
sure, what day is it today?
Re: Goodbye stripping, hello t-ray glasses
Well, if it's April Fool's, credit where credit's due on researching to give it the appearance of veracity.
Terahertz radiation is a relatively unused portion of the EM spectrum right now and apparently has some potential applications for imaging. Just google "terahertz" and "imaging" - interesting reading from bona fide sources.
Re: Goodbye stripping, hello t-ray glasses
I can understand people's skepticism... I didn't believe it was real at first myself. It sounded like Science Fiction. What I saw was a photo of an attractive woman, completely nude, on a public street with cars in traffic. Very high resolution, maybe 5 mega pixels. I could even see her tattoo. She was looking right ahead so was apparently aware of the camera. There was another photo too, probably with a fast shutter speed, showing the same woman this time fully clothed. Examining both closely, I determined that they were from a slightly different angle but apparently taken at the exact same instant. That's what convinced me.
I'm sure that there are prefectly legitimate applications for the technology in areas as diverse as security/anti-terrorism (for spotting weapons) and medicine...even veternary (for detecting cancer, etc). Personally, I am comfortable being naked indoors or out... but I would not like to lose my livelihood. I would still like to be able to earn a living. I am sure that most people probably have big problems with this technology which will potentially give everyone the ability to see through clothes. The "glasses" I saw looked like bulky night-vision goggles, but later enhancements could make the devices less obvious. I don't like its capability of imaging through walls either. I'm sure people on here can understand the potential for abuse and invasion of privacy. For dancers it will mean that guys won't be interested in spending money at strip clubs. For our mothers or daughters, etc. it may mean buying expensive and uncomfortable metal lined underwear. It's going to be a far different world than we are used to. This technology changes everything!
Re: Goodbye stripping, hello t-ray glasses
and we get the April Fools cheer after midnight, right ?
Re: Goodbye stripping, hello t-ray glasses
Thanks guys. Frankly, I'm safer if no one believes me. Yes, it's all a hoax... or is it? Time will tell.
If the bad guys think everyone else thinks that my information is bogus, then they're less likely to try anything. And if they do think about taking some kind of action, then I've got a record out in cyber space to discourage that in any case.
Now here's some real news:
http://www.sunherald.com/mld/thesunh...g/11282118.htm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/quiz/quest...449501,00.html
http://www.mg.co.za/articlepage.aspx...ticleid=200526
http://www.thetoque.com/050308/misssile_shield.htm
http://onion.com/news/index.php?issue=4112&n=1
http://www.kylewenda.com/workstuff/
Re: Goodbye stripping, hello t-ray glasses
I love how she references the Onion. Good one, Myssi.
Re: Goodbye stripping, hello t-ray glasses
I've heard a bit about T-rays before but only in realation to health issues. I found your notes interesting even if no-one else takes them seriously.
I found pretty much what you've told us online anyway, so don't worry about leeking information (-:
Re: Goodbye stripping, hello t-ray glasses
In fairness to Myssi, this technology is getting a lot of funding because of its potential usefulness in security screening. However, I seriously doubt that we'll be seeing it in an affordable miniaturized form any time soon.
Re: Goodbye stripping, hello t-ray glasses
This is gooooooooood! Very well thought out! :)
On a side note, I don't really think stripping is about seeing naked women much anymore. I think its more about the lapdances and men being able to be coddled by women that would usually not give them the time of day. I don't think nudity has many more interesting implications at this point.........
Re: Goodbye stripping, hello t-ray glasses
LOL... I agree with Katherine... we're entertainers.... but we could just pole dance in our street clothes and not have to pay for outfits if everyone in the club would just put on special glasses...
Here are some that ARE true (supposedly)... there's even one about lap dances...
From the BBC...could be fake, but aren't:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4400535.stm
Re: Goodbye stripping, hello t-ray glasses
eek ... now I'll have to go through 'Doctor Who Withdrawl Symptoms' a second time !
Re: Goodbye stripping, hello t-ray glasses
Katrine's ritght.
Nudity by itself doesn't mean much anymore.
Besides that, I had a pair of X-ray specs when I was in seventh grade.:)
Re: Goodbye stripping, hello t-ray glasses
Quote:
Originally Posted by Melonie
eek ... now I'll have to go through 'Doctor Who Withdrawl Symptoms' a second time !
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertain...io/4395849.stm ;)
Re: Goodbye stripping, hello t-ray glasses
Someone emailed me that I should try writing SF... how about a new genre, "Stripper Science Fiction"...like "The Strip Club at the End of the Universe"....
And Cosmic AC, now in hyperspace, continuted to study the Last Question... The answer it already knew...
"42?", asked the Commordore.
"Affirmative", replied Vina, the seductive triple-breasted felinoid from Eroticon IV, "That's what I said, you did a double with me and the green-skinned Orion slave girl, so that last lap dance was 42 Federation Credits, the usual rate here on Triskelion..."