Development of bolometer-type uncooled THz-QVGA sensor and camera

Abstract

Bolometer-type uncooled infrared QVGAs (Quarter Video Graphics Arrays, namely, 320x240) were modified to improve their sensitivities at 3 THz. High transmission materials were investigated and it is found that high resistivity Silicon with anti-reflection coating of Parylene or Silicon Dioxide is suitable. Using this material, THz lens was fabricated and handy THz camera which operates at TV frame rate was also fabricated. Using the THz camera, NEP (Noise Equivalent Power) of uncooled THz-QVGA sensor was characterized at several wavelengths from 3 to 270 m. The THz camera showed THz imageries of antigen-antibody reaction without labeling molecules, which indicate that THz detection technology can be promising for detecting proteins.

The Dawn of Ultrafast Nonlinear Optics in the Terahertz Regime

“…For higher sensitivity, a nonlinear detector such as a Schottky barrier diode or a hot electron bolometer can be used in a heterodyne configuration [27]. Recently, a bolometer-type uncooled THz camera became available [28,29] allowing direct visualization of the THz radiation beam intensity profile. For the case of coherent detection, the three primary methods are photoconductive sampling [5], electro-optic (EO) sampling [30], and more recently laser-plasma based detection [31].…”