A superconducting terahertz imager

May, T.; Anders, S.; Zakosarenko, V.; Starkloff, M.; Meyer, H.‐G.; Thorwirth, G.; Kreysa, E.

doi:10.1117/12.720512

Cited by 10 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…4,5 It is the result of a continuous development since 2007. 6 The camera is based on 20 superconducting transition edge sensors (TES) operated at a temperature of 450 to 650 mK (Fig. 2).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toward high-sensitivity and high-resolution submillimeter-wave video imaging

et al. 2011

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Downloaded From: http://opticalengineering.spiedigitallibrary.org/ on 05/15/2015 Terms of Use: http://spiedl.org/termsAbstract. Against a background of newly emerged security threats, the well-established idea of utilizing submillimeter-wave radiation for personal security screening applications has recently evolved into a promising technology. Possible application scenarios demand sensitive, fast, flexible and high-quality imaging techniques. At present, best results are obtained by passive imaging using cryogenic microbolometers as radiation detectors. Building upon the concept of a passive submillimeter-wave stand-off video camera introduced previously, we present the evolution of this concept into a practical application-ready imaging device. This has been achieved using a variety of measures such as optimizing the detector parameters, improving the scanning mechanism, increasing the sampling speed, and enhancing the image generation software. The camera concept is based on a Cassegrain-type mirror optics, an optomechanical scanner, an array of 20 superconducting transition-edge sensors operated at a temperature of 450 to 650 mK, and a closed-cycle cryogen-free cooling system. The main figures of the system include: a frequency band of 350 ± 40 GHz, an object distance of 7 to 10 m, a circular field of view of 1.05 m diameter, and a spatial resolution in the image center of 2 cm at 8.5 m distance, a noise equivalent temperature difference of 0.1 to 0.4 K, and a maximum frame rate of 10 Hz. C 2011 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).

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“…4,5 It is the result of a continuous development since 2007. 6 The camera is based on 20 superconducting transition edge sensors (TES) operated at a temperature of 450 to 650 mK (Fig. 2).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toward high-sensitivity and high-resolution submillimeter-wave video imaging

et al. 2011

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“…In contrast, passive imaging [8][9][10][11] utilizes thermal radiation and therefore profits from the low reflectivity of human skin. Passive imaging provides thermal images, i.e., it yields information on temperature and optical properties.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…2) of the passive submillimeter-wave stand-off video camera presented here has evolved since 2007 and has been published before [9,12,18,[20][21][22]. Table 1 gives an overview of the different camera prototypes and their main parameters.…”

Section: Basic Camera Conceptmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Passive 350 GHz Video Imaging Systems for Security Applications

Heinz

May

Born

et al. 2015

J Infrared Milli Terahz Waves

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Passive submillimeter-wave imaging is a concept that has been in the focus of interest as a promising technology for personal security screening for a number of years. In contradiction to established portal-based millimeter-wave scanning techniques, it allows for scanning people from a distance in real time with high throughput and without a distinct inspection procedure. This opens up new possibilities for scanning, which directly address an urgent security need of modern societies: protecting crowds and critical infrastructure from the growing threat of individual terror attacks. Considering the low radiometric contrast of indoor scenes in the submillimeter range, this objective calls for an extremely high detector sensitivity that can only be achieved using cooled detectors. Our approach to this task is a series of passive standoff video cameras for the 350 GHz band that represent an evolving concept and a continuous development since 2007. Arrays of superconducting transition-edge sensors (TES), operated at temperatures below 1 K, are used as radiation detectors. By this means, background limited performance (BLIP) mode is achieved, providing the maximum possible signal to noise ratio. At video rates, this leads to a temperature resolution well below 1 K. The imaging system is completed by reflector optics based on freeform mirrors. For object distances of 5-25 m, a field of view up to 2 m height and J Infrared Milli Terahz Waves a diffraction-limited spatial resolution in the order of 1-2 cm is provided. Optomechanical scanning systems are part of the optical setup and capable of frame rates of up to 25 frames per second.

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“…Considering the low radiometric contrast of indoor scenes in the submillimeter range, this objective calls for a high detector sensitivity and a low noise equivalent power (NEP) approaching the physical limit of background photon noise 2 . Due to this technical challenge, submillimeter-wave video imaging has become possible only in recent years [3][4][5][6] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Progress in passive submillimeter-wave video imaging

Heinz¹,

May

Born

et al. 2014

SPIE Proceedings

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Since 2007 we are developing passive submillimeter-wave video cameras for personal security screening. In contradiction to established portal-based millimeter-wave scanning techniques, these are suitable for stand-off or stealth operation. The cameras operate in the 350 GHz band and use arrays of superconducting transitionedge sensors (TES), reflector optics, and opto-mechanical scanners. Whereas the basic principle of these devices remains unchanged, there has been a continuous development of the technical details, as the detector array, the scanning scheme, and the readout, as well as system integration and performance. The latest prototype of this camera development features a linear array of 128 detectors and a linear scanner capable of 25 Hz frame rate. Using different types of reflector optics, a field of view of 1×2 m 2 and a spatial resolution of 1-2 cm is provided at object distances of about 5-25 m. We present the concept of this camera and give details on system design and performance. Demonstration videos show its capability for hidden threat detection and illustrate possible application scenarios.

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A superconducting terahertz imager

Cited by 10 publications

References 3 publications

Toward high-sensitivity and high-resolution submillimeter-wave video imaging

Toward high-sensitivity and high-resolution submillimeter-wave video imaging

Passive 350 GHz Video Imaging Systems for Security Applications

Progress in passive submillimeter-wave video imaging

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