What Terasense does

Terasense (TeraSense Inc.) is a privately held US semiconductor company founded in 2008 and headquartered in Meridian, Idaho, that designs and manufactures terahertz (THz) and sub-THz imaging hardware. Its core technology is a room-temperature operating plasmonic semiconductor detector built on GaAs high-mobility heterostructures that rectifies plasma-wave excitations in a two-dimensional electron gas, paired with proprietary IMPATT diode and Schottky-diode multiplier chain sources. The product portfolio spans 2D THz cameras (Tera-256/1024/4096 with up to 5000 fps), linear scanners at 100 GHz and 300 GHz, active and passive security body scanners, fixed-frequency and tunable THz sources (50-500 GHz), ultrafast detectors, and quasi-optical components including lenses, filters, horn antennas, and 3D-printed holographic waveplates. The IP base comprises three granted US patents covering plasmonic detection, on-chip THz spectroscopy, and high-speed giga-THz imaging architectures, manufactured in an in-house Class 1000 (ISO 6) cleanroom.

The company serves eight primary verticals: security and homeland defense, pharmaceutical and cosmetics manufacturing, food and agriculture, automotive (notably tire steel-cord inspection), ceramic, wood processing, medical diagnostics, and scientific research, with over 500 cumulative scientific clients and 60+ security body scanner units deployed worldwide. Terasense generates revenue primarily through direct hardware sales of configurable THz cameras, scanners, sources, detectors, and optics, plus custom-built fully-integrated imaging systems; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, and distribution is handled through a direct enterprise sales motion supplemented by a global distributor network. The company employs approximately 40 PhD-level scientists and engineers, remains founder-owned with no disclosed external funding rounds, and has steadily expanded its product line in 2024-2025 across tunable sources, passive body scanning, ultrafast modulators, and THz filters.

Name

Terasense

Legal name

TeraSense Inc.

Website

https://terasense.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Terasense is a privately held US semiconductor company that designs and manufactures room-temperature terahertz imaging cameras, linear scanners, sources, and detectors for security screening, industrial quality control, and scientific research customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Terahertz Imaging Systems

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

Quantum Sensing, Metrology & Imaging Research (HDAGAMAJ)

Keywords

• Terahertz imaging systems
• Semiconductor THz detectors
• THz cameras and scanners
• Terahertz signal sources
• Non-destructive testing equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Torrance

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. THz Imaging Hardware Sales: Sale of terahertz cameras, scanners, sources, detectors, and complete imaging systems. Products include Tera-256/1024/4096 cameras, linear scanners, body scanners, IMPATT sources, and ultrafast detectors. Custom-build systems with configurable specifications.
2. THz Optics and Components: Sale of terahertz optics including lenses, horn antennas, filters, and holographic waveplates. Custom-tailored manufacturing of quasi-optical components for THz range.
3. Custom System Integration: Custom-building complete fully-operational terahertz imaging systems equipped with software and all necessary hardware components including camera with 2D sensor array, signal generators with output horn antennas, and complementary optics.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

TeraSense designs, fabricates, and sells terahertz (THz) and sub-THz semiconductor imaging systems, including 2D THz cameras, high-speed linear scanners, fixed-frequency and tunable THz sources, ultrafast THz detectors, and supporting THz optics (lenses, antennas, filters, holographic waveplates). The company also custom-builds complete fully-operational terahertz imaging systems with software and hardware components for industrial quality control, security screening, pharmaceutical inspection, food inspection, automotive, and scientific research applications.

Product overview

TeraSense is a manufacturer of terahertz (THz) imaging systems, cameras, scanners, sources, and detectors. The product portfolio centers on semiconductor-based THz technology for imaging and sensing applications. Core products include three Tera-series cameras (Tera-256, Tera-1024, Tera-4096) with varying pixel resolutions, the TeraFAST-256 high-speed linear camera capable of 5000 fps, and complete scanner systems (100 GHz and 300 GHz models) designed for conveyor belt integration. The company also produces fixed-frequency IMPATT diode sources (100-600 GHz), tunable TeraSmart sources (50-500 GHz), ultrafast detectors (150 ps response time), and optical components including lenses, antennas, filters, and holographic waveplates. The security body scanner rounds out the product line for stand-off screening applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tera-256 Terahertz Camera 256-pixel (16x16 array) room-temperature THz camera with 1.5mm pixel pitch operating across 0.05-0.7 THz, offering responsivity up to 50 kV/W with USB power and programming. Used for non-destructive testing, security, and research applications.
• Tera-1024 Terahertz Camera 1024-pixel (32x32 array) THz camera with higher resolution across the 0.05-0.7 THz range for industrial and scientific imaging applications.
• Tera-4096 Terahertz Camera 4096-pixel (64x64 array) flagship THz camera with NEP of 1 nW/√Hz and 16.5x16.5x4.5 cm device size, providing the highest resolution in the Tera camera lineup.
• TeraFAST-256 High-Speed Linear Camera 256-pixel linear-array camera with 5000 fps image acquisition rate and scanning speed up to 15 m/sec, with 3x1.5mm pixel size and 100 nW minimum detectable power at 5000 fps. Used for conveyor-belt NDT.
• High-Speed Terahertz Imaging Scanner (100 GHz) Flagship 100 GHz linear scanner with 5000 fps imaging speed, 256 pixels (256x1), 1.5x3mm pixel size, and conveyor compatibility up to 15 m/s. Includes Type I and Type II IMPATT-based THz sources.
• High-Speed Linear 300 GHz Scanner 300 GHz scanner optimized for 0.5 mm resolution at 5 kHz scanning speed with 256x1 or 512x1 pixel configurations. CE certified with plug-and-play design and C++/LabVIEW SDK.
• TeraSense Security Body Scanner Active 100 GHz stand-off security screening system for detection of weapons, explosives, and contraband hidden under clothing. Operates at 3-6m imaging distance with 70x70cm to 120x120cm field of view; 60+ units sold worldwide since 2016.
• Passive THz Body Scanner System 3.0 New passive THz body scanner system that operates without active THz radiation emission, used for security screening of people at airports, public venues, and secure facilities.
• TeraSense IMPATT THz Sources Fixed-frequency terahertz generators based on IMPATT diode technology, available at 100 GHz, 140 GHz, 200 GHz, 300 GHz, and 600 GHz. Output power up to 2W at 100 GHz. Includes protective isolator and optional TTL modulation.
• TeraSmart Tunable THz Sources Broadband tunable terahertz sources built on Schottky diode multiplier chains covering 50-75 GHz, 60-90 GHz, 75-110 GHz, 110-170 GHz, 170-260 GHz, 220-330 GHz, and 330-500 GHz bands. Output power up to 400 mW with USB remote control via ASCII commands.
• Ultrafast Terahertz Detectors High-speed THz detectors with sub-150 ps response time across 50 GHz-0.7 THz. Compact 23x29x6.5 mm form factor with no power supply required. FAST variant available with 1 µs response and 10 V/W sensitivity.
• Terahertz Optics Quasi-optical components for the THz range including TPX and PTFE lenses, windows, prisms, attenuators, polarizers, and beam splitters. Plano-convex and bi-convex lenses up to 150 mm diameter.
• Microwave and Terahertz Horn Antennas Detachable horn antennas for 100 GHz, 140 GHz, and 300 GHz THz sources, in conical and diagonal designs with gain from 19-25 dB.
• Terahertz Filters Quasi-optical Bandpass, High-pass, and Low-pass filters for 0.1-1 THz on PTFE and High-Resistivity Silicon substrates, with optional 3D-printed metamaterials. Apertures up to 10 inches (254 mm).
• Terahertz Holographic Waveplates 3D-printed phase waveplates for THz beam shaping with 0.1 mm printing resolution. Fully customized solutions created from customer-defined beam profile requirements.
• Ultrafast Modulators for 100GHz and 140GHz Ultrafast modulators for 100 GHz and 140 GHz fixed-frequency terahertz wave sources, used together with TeraSense THz sources for scientific and industrial applications.
• 100 GHz (>2W) High-Power Generator Reintroduced 100 GHz IMPATT-based terahertz generator delivering >2W output power for industrial and scientific applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Image acquisition rate up to 5000 fps enabling conveyor speeds up to 15 m/s
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles8 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Distributor NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTerasense maintains a network of regional distributors listed under the contacts section of their website to support international customers and provide localized sales and support services.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Toptica Photonics: Toptica manufactures terahertz systems, frequency combs, and tunable laser sources for scientific and industrial applications. It is the most direct comparable to Terasense in commercial THz generation and detection systems for spectroscopy and imaging.
• Menlo Systems: Menlo Systems offers THz time-domain spectroscopy and imaging systems, optical frequency combs, and ultrafast lasers. Its THz imaging and spectroscopy product line directly competes with Terasense's Tera-series cameras and spectroscopy offerings in scientific and industrial markets.
• TeraView: TeraView develops terahertz imaging and spectroscopy solutions for industrial inspection, security, and pharmaceutical QC. Like Terasense, it targets non-destructive testing with THz technology and competes head-to-head in pharma inspection and security screening verticals.
• Zomega Terahertz: Zomega Terahertz provides THz time-domain spectroscopy (TDS) systems, including imaging platforms and ultrafast detector modules. It is a smaller direct peer with comparable scientific customer base and TDS/imaging methodology.
• Hübner Photonics: Hübner (now part of Leidos) offers millimeter-wave and terahertz security body scanners deployed at airports and public venues. Direct competitor to Terasense's 100 GHz body scanner in the security screening vertical.

Broad incumbents

• MKS Instruments: MKS Instruments is a broad photonics and electronic instrumentation incumbent producing lasers, photonic components, optics, and THz-capable sources. Its Newport and Spectra-Physics brands overlap with Terasense's THz sources and optics portfolio from a much larger scale.
• Coherent Corp: Coherent (formerly II-VI) is a large photonics and laser systems incumbent serving materials processing, instrumentation, and aerospace markets. Its broad product portfolio includes laser-driven THz sources that compete with Terasense's IMPATT and Schottky diode-based THz generators.
• Advantest: Advantest is a global semiconductor test and measurement incumbent. While not focused on THz imaging, its electronic measurement instrumentation portfolio serves overlapping industrial customers that buy Terasense's THz test equipment for NDT and R&D.

Emerging players

• Luna Innovations: Luna Innovations develops fiber-optic sensing and measurement instruments for aerospace, automotive, and industrial QC. It is an emerging player in distributed sensing with overlapping non-destructive testing customer segments to Terasense's industrial THz inspection business.
• BATOP GmbH: BATOP is a German supplier of photoconductive THz antennas, saturable absorbers, and THz components. As a smaller specialist, it overlaps with Terasense in THz source/detector components sold into scientific and OEM channels.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/627841130617936
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/terasense

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Terasense