DEVELOPMENT OF A SMALL, SPACE-BASED TERAHERTZ-TO-INFRARED IMAGING SYSTEM
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Authors
Stank, Matthew J.
Subjects
terahertz
THz
infrared
IR
TIC
remote sensing
atomic oxygen
COTS
ozone
microbolometer
cubesat
smallsat
ionosphere
micro-electromechanical
MEMS
FPA
focal plane array
2.06 THz
4.75 THz
THz
infrared
IR
TIC
remote sensing
atomic oxygen
COTS
ozone
microbolometer
cubesat
smallsat
ionosphere
micro-electromechanical
MEMS
FPA
focal plane array
2.06 THz
4.75 THz
Advisors
Durante Pereira Alves, Fabio
Lan, Wenschel D.
Date of Issue
2024-03
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Direct imaging of terahertz (THz) radiation has useful applications in space-based remote sensing of the upper ionosphere. Researchers at the Naval Postgraduate School have developed a terahertz-to-infrared band-converting metamaterial focal plane array (FPA) using micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication techniques. The FPA is designed to absorb selective narrowband THz radiation at 2.06 THz and 4.75 THz, associated with atomic oxygen electron transitions, and convert it to long-wave infrared radiation (LWIR). The emitted LWIR can then be imaged by an uncooled microbolometer infrared camera. This effectively converts the THz emitting scene into an IR image that can be directly interpreted. In order for this technology to be tested in space, an optical system was designed, tested, and built to effectively utilize the band-converting capability of the FPA. The form factor of the resulting optical system, called the Terahertz Imaging Camera (TIC), is compatible with standard 6U CubeSat bus size, weight, and power requirements. The system is divided into two distinct sections, independent of each other due to separation by the FPA. The THz section focuses distant THz radiation onto the FPA via a 90°-fold parabolic mirror, while the IR section focuses the backside of the FPA onto the LWIR camera for imaging via two Ge meniscus lenses. The sensitivity of the system was found to be 1.0 K/µW, which translates to a 50 nW minimum detectable power by the LWIR camera.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Space Systems Academic Group (SP)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.