Terahertz Laser Based Standoff Imaging System

Definition and design of a terahertz standoff imaging system has been theoretically investigated. Utilizing terahertz quantum cascade lasers for transmitter and local oscillator, a detailed analysis of the expected performance of an active standoff imaging system based on coherent heterodyne detection has been carried out. Five atmospheric windows between 0.3 THz and 4.0 THz have been identified and quantified by carrying out laboratory measurements of atmospheric transmission as a function of relative humidity. Using the approximate center frequency of each of these windows, detailed calculations of expected system performance vs target distance, pixel resolution, and relative humidity were carried out. It is shown that with

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2005
• Where: AIPR
• Authors: Kurt J. Linden, William R. Neal, Jerry Waldman, Andrew J. Gatesman, Andriy Danylov
• Keywords: AIPR 2005, Relative Humidity, Terahertz Quantum Cascade, Terahertz Standoff