Imaging At 0.2 And 2.5 Terahertz

Abstract

We report the development and initial results of two Terahertz imaging systems based on monochromatic sources at 0.2 and 2.52 THz. The first is based on a microwave oscillator, whose frequency is multiplied to 0.2 THz, used in conjunction with a zero-bias detector. The sample is scanned across the beam, and transmission images are obtained after processing. The second system allows real-time images, and consists of a methanol gas laser emitting at 119 microns (2.52 THz) and a commercial camera based on a microbolometer array. We describe the construction and performance of the methanol laser and a tunable CO 2 laser, which emits 20 W at the 9P(36) pump line. Due to the high coherence of the laser, this system is particularly suited for diffraction and interference imaging. We have measured the absorption coefficients of a few samples assuming the Beer law. © 2013 Copyright SPIE.