Terahertz imaging and spectroscopy based on hot electron bolometer (HEB) heterodyne detection

Published

January 23, 2008

Author(s)

Eyal Gerecht, Lixing You

Abstract

Imaging and spectroscopy at terahertz frequencies have great potential for healthcare, plasma diagnostics, and homeland security applications. Terahertz frequencies correspond to energy level transitions of important molecules in biology and astrophysics. Terahertz radiation (T-rays) can penetrate clothing and, to some extent, can also penetrate biological materials, and because of their shorter wavelengths, they offer higher spatial resolution than microwaves or millimeter waves. We are developing hot electron bolometer (HEB) mixer receivers for heterodyne detection at terahertz frequencies. HEB detectors provide unprecedented sensitivity and spectral resolution at terahertz frequencies. We describe the development of a two-pixel focal plane array (FPA) based on HEB technology. Furthermore, we have demonstrated a fully automated, two-dimensional scanning, passive, imaging system based on our HEB technology operating at 0.85 THz. Our high spectral resolution terahertz imager has a noise equivalent temperature difference (NEDT) value of better than 0.5 K and a spatial resolution of a few millimeters. HEB technology is becoming the basis for advanced terahertz imaging and spectroscopic technologies for the study of biological and chemical agents over the entire terahertz spectrum.

Conference Dates

January 19-24, 2007

Conference Location

San Jose, CA, USA

Conference Title

SPIE Photonics West

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

focal plane arrays, heterodyne detectors, hot electron bolometers, quasi-optical systems, superconducting devices, terahertz imaging, terahertz receivers, terahertz spectroscopy

Citation

Gerecht, E. and You, L. (2008), Terahertz imaging and spectroscopy based on hot electron bolometer (HEB) heterodyne detection, SPIE Photonics West, San Jose, CA, USA, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=32856 (Accessed November 21, 2024)