Fast terahertz imaging with a quantum-cascade laser and a scanning mirror

Author

Rothbart, N. ; Richter, H. ; Wienold, M. ; Schrottke, L. ; Giehler, M. ; Hey, R. ; Grahn, H.T. ; Hübers, H. -W

Author_Institution

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

fYear

2012

fDate

23-28 Sept. 2012

Firstpage

1

Lastpage

2

Abstract

A terahertz imaging system based on a quantum-cascade laser, a fast scanning mirror, and a Ge:Ga detector is demonstrated. Transmission images are obtained by scanning the beam of the quantum-cascade laser across an object. Images with a diameter of approximately 45 mm and a signal-to-noise ratio of approximately 25 dB were obtained within 1.1 s. The system was also used to obtain three-dimensional images by computed tomography within an acquisition time of 87 s.

Keywords

elemental semiconductors; gallium; germanium; image processing; mirrors; quantum cascade lasers; terahertz wave imaging; Ge:Ga; Ge:Ga detector; computed tomography; fast scanning mirror; fast terahertz imaging; quantum-cascade laser; signal-to-noise ratio; terahertz imaging system; three-dimensional images; time 1.1 s; time 87 s; transmission images; Computed tomography; Detectors; Laser beams; Mirrors; Quantum cascade lasers; Signal to noise ratio;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves (IRMMW-THz), 2012 37th International Conference on

Conference_Location

Wollongong, NSW

ISSN

2162-2027

Print_ISBN

978-1-4673-1598-2

Electronic_ISBN

2162-2027

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/IRMMW-THz.2012.6380324

Filename

6380324