Fast broadband inexpensive weakly ionised plasma detector used in terahertz continuous-wave imaging

A continuous-wave terahertz (THz) detector based on weakly ionised plasma in a discharged neon lamp has been developed. The inexpensive detector has a wide spectral response range and a fast response time, which were illustrated by experiment. The detector was used in a THz imaging system and obtained a THz image of a three-dimensional object. The image has a high contrast that means the detector is competent for THz non-destructive testing.