HEB heterodyne focal plane arrays: a terahertz technology for high sensitivity near-range security imaging systems

Statistics – Applications

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Scientific paper

We have achieved the first demonstration of a low-noise heterodyne array operating at a frequency above 1 THz (1.6 THz). The prototype array has three elements, consisting of NbN hot electron bolometer (HEB) detectors on silicon substrates. We use a quasi-optical design to couple the signal and local oscillator (LO) power to the detector. We also demonstrate, for the first time, how the HEB detectors can be intimately integrated in the same block with monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) IF amplifiers. Such focal plane arrays can be increased in size to a few hundred elements using the next generation fabrication architecture for compact and easy assembly. Future HEB-based focal plane arrays will make low-noise heterodyne imaging systems with high angular resolution possible from 500 GHz to several terahertz. Large low-noise HEB arrays are well suited for real-time video imaging at any frequency over the entire terahertz spectrum. This is made possible by virtue of the extremely low local oscillator power requirements of the HEB detectors (a few hundred nanowatts to a microwatt per pixel). The operating temperature is 4 to 6 K, which can be provided by a compact and mobile cryocooler system, developed as a spin-off from the space program. The terahertz HEB imager consists of a computer-controlled optical system mounted on an elevation and azimuth scanning translator which provides a two-dimensional image of the target. We present preliminary measured data at the symposium for a terahertz security system of this type.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

HEB heterodyne focal plane arrays: a terahertz technology for high sensitivity near-range security imaging systems does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with HEB heterodyne focal plane arrays: a terahertz technology for high sensitivity near-range security imaging systems, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and HEB heterodyne focal plane arrays: a terahertz technology for high sensitivity near-range security imaging systems will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1379119

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.