Imaging of 3.4 THz quantum cascade laser beam using uncooled microbolometer camera

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Author
Lowe, Michele N
Date
2006-12Advisor
Karunasiri, Gamani
Second Reader
Haegel, Nancy
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The employment of terahertz (THz) technology for applications including Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and concealed weapons detection is a rapidly growing field of research. Additionally, THz waves do not pose a health hazard as do x-rays and as such can be used for the imaging and detection of certain cancers. To date, however, most detectors are highly sophisticated, bulky systems which require extensive cooling in order to provide a signal-tonoise (SNR) ratio high enough for detection. A detection system that is simple in operation and uncooled is highly desirable and is the focus of this research. In this thesis, operation of a 3.4 THz quantum cascade laser (QCL) was successfully achieved using a closed cycle cryostat and nanosecond pulse generator with impedance matching circuitry. The laser beam was imaged in real time using an uncooled microbolometer infrared camera typically used in far-infrared wavelength band (8-12 mm). The preliminary findings offer potential for development of a compact THz imaging system for applications involving concealed object detection.
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Detection of 3.4 THz radiation from a quantum cascade laser using a microbolometer infrared camera
Karunasiri, Gamani; Chamberlain, Danielle; Behnken, Barry N.; Lowe, Michele; Robrish, Peter (SPIE, 2007-05);The THz wavelengths cover the frequency range of 0.1-10 THz or 30-3000 μm wavelength band. Currently, detection of THz radiation is carried out using either antenna-coupled semiconductor detectors or superconducting ... -
Real-time terahertz imaging using a quantum cascade laser and uncooled microbolometer focal plane array
Behnken, Barry N. (Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School, 2008., 2008-06);Real-time imaging in the terahertz (THz) spectral range was achieved using an uncooled, 160x120 pixel infrared microbolometer camera and a milliwatt-scale quantum cascade laser (QCL). By replacing the camera's original ... -
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Buchanan, Kevin William. (Monterey California. Naval Postgraduate School, 2008-12);It is widely published that the terahertz (THz) spectral range has potential for imaging in the fields of military and security applications. The Sensors Research Laboratory previously achieved real-time imaging of concealed ...