Fast 2-D and 3-D Terahertz Imaging With a Quantum-Cascade Laser and a Scanning Mirror

Author

Rothbart, N. ; Richter, H. ; Wienold, M. ; Schrottke, L. ; Grahn, H.T. ; Hubers, Heinz-Wilhelm

Author_Institution

Inst. of Planetary Res., German Aerosp. Center (DLR), Berlin, Germany

Volume

3

Issue

5

fYear

2013

fDate

Sept. 2013

Firstpage

617

Lastpage

624

Abstract

A terahertz imaging system based on a quantum-cascade laser (QCL), a fast scanning mirror, and a sensitive Ge:Ga detector is demonstrated. Transmission images are obtained by scanning the beam of the QCL across an object. Images with a diameter of approximately 40 mm and a signal-to-noise ratio of up to 28 dB were obtained within 1.1 s. The system was also used to obtain three-dimensional images of objects in an ellipsoidal volume with axes of approximately 40 mm by computed tomography within 87 s.

Keywords

computerised tomography; mirrors; photodetectors; quantum cascade lasers; terahertz wave detectors; terahertz wave imaging; computed tomography; ellipsoidal volume; fast 2D terahertz imaging; fast 3D terahertz imaging; fast scanning mirror; quantum-cascade laser; sensitive Ge:Ga detector; signal-to-noise ratio; time 1.1 s; time 87 s; transmission images; Computed tomography; Detectors; Lenses; Mirrors; Optical imaging; Quantum cascade lasers; Computed tomography; imaging; quantum-cascade laser (QCL); scanning mirror; terahertz (THz);

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Terahertz Science and Technology, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

2156-342X

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TTHZ.2013.2273226

Filename

6575211