Charmaine C. Franck

Active and passive imaging in the THz spectral region : phenomenology, dynamic range, modes, and illumination

The useful compromise between resolution and penetration power of the submillimeter or terahertz (THz) spectral region has long made it attractive for a variety of imaging applications. However, many of the demonstrations of imaging in this spectral region have used strategically oriented targets, especially favorable concealment materials, proximate imaging geometries, etc. This paper reports the results of studies aimed at better understanding the phenomenology of targets, the impact of this phenomenology on various active and passive imaging strategies, and most importantly, the development of imaging strategies that do not require the aforementioned special circumstances. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between active and passive images, especially with respect to how they interact with the illumination- and detector-mode structures of various imaging scenarios. It is concluded that the very large dynamic range that can be obtained with active single-mode systems (including focal-plane arrays) can be used in system designs to overcome the deleterious effects that result from the dominance of specular reflections in single-mode active systems as well as to strategically orient targets to obtain recognition. This will aid in the development of a much more robust and generally useful imaging technology in this spectral region.

Active and Passive Millimeter and Sub-Millimeter-Wave Imaging

We have developed several millimeter/submillimeter/terahertz systems to study active and passive imaging and associated phenomenology. For measuring the transmission and scattering properties of materials, we have developed a dual rotary stage scattering system with active illumination and a Fourier Transform spectrometer. For imaging studies, we have developed a system based on a 12-inch diameter raster-scanned mirror. By interchange of active sources and both heterodyne and bolometric detectors, this system can be used in a variety of active and passive configurations. The laboratory measurements are used as inputs for, and model calibration and validation of, a terahertz imaging system performance model used to evaluate different imaging modalities for concealed weapon identification. In this paper, we will present examples of transmission and scattering measurements for common clothing as well as active imaging results that used a 640 GHz source and receiver.

Concealed weapon identification using terahertz imaging sensors

Terahertz imaging sensors are being considered for providing a concealed weapon identification capability for military and security applications. In this paper the difficulty of this task is assessed in a systematic way. Using imaging systems operating at 640 GHz, high resolution imagery of possible concealed weapons has been collected. Information in this imagery is removed in a controlled and systematic way and then used in a human observer perception experiment. From the perception data, a calibration factor describing the overall difficulty of this task was derived. This calibration factor is used with a general model of human observer performance developed at the US Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate to predict the task performance of observers using terahertz imaging sensors. Example performance calculations for a representative imaging sensor are shown.

Archimedean-spiral and log-spiral antenna comparison

For several years, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) has been used to search for buried landmines. Most of the evaluation effort on complete detection systems has focused on end-to-end performance metrics (e.g., Pd and Pfa). Here, we focus on the specific performance of one critical component of GPR systems-the antennas. This is the first in a series of papers that will compare the following parameters of many different antennas: (1) the most useful bandwidths, (2) the role of polarization and polarization diversity, (3) spurious coupling effects, and (4) phase-correction considerations. This paper compares four types of Planning Systems, Inc., antennas that were developed for current and past GPR systems. These are a 5.5-in. log-spiral antenna without balun or spiral-arm terminations; 5.75-in. log-spiral antenna with tapered balun and arm termination; 5.5-in. Archimedean-spiral antenna with tapered balun, but without arm terminations; and 5.75-in. Archimedean-spiral antenna with tapered balun and arm terminations. Three main tests were performed to compare the antennas: (1) S11, to show overall matching bandwidth and to reveal discontinuities in the balun-antenna-termination structure; (2) S21, to measure undesired direct-path coupling relative to intended target scattering; and (3) S21, to show direct coupling vs. antenna spacing.

Advanced terahertz imaging system performance model for concealed weapon identification

The U.S. Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) have developed a terahertz-band imaging system performance model for detection and identification of concealed weaponry. The details of this MATLAB-based model which accounts for the effects of all critical sensor and display components, and for the effects of atmospheric attenuation, concealment material attenuation, and active illumination, were reported on at the 2005 SPIE Europe Security and Defence Symposium. The focus of this paper is to report on recent advances to the base model which have been designed to more realistically account for the dramatic impact that target and background orientation can have on target observability as related to specular and Lambertian reflections captured by an active-illumination-based imaging system. The advanced terahertz-band imaging system performance model now also accounts for target and background thermal emission, and has been recast into a user-friendly, Windows-executable tool. This advanced THz model has been developed in support of the Defense Advanced Research Project Agencys (DARPA) Terahertz Imaging Focal-Plane Technology (TIFT) program. This paper will describe the advanced THz model and its new radiometric sub-model in detail, and provide modeling and experimental results on target observability as a function of target and background orientation.

Enhanced terahertz imaging system performance analysis and design tool for concealed weapon identification

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and the U.S. Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) have developed a terahertz-band imaging system performance model/tool for detection and identification of concealed weaponry. The details of the MATLAB-based model which accounts for the effects of all critical sensor and display components, and for the effects of atmospheric attenuation, concealment material attenuation, and active illumination, were reported on at the 2005 SPIE Europe Security & Defence Symposium (Brugge). An advanced version of the base model that accounts for both the dramatic impact that target and background orientation can have on target observability as related to specular and Lambertian reflections captured by an active-illumination-based imaging system, and for the impact of target and background thermal emission, was reported on at the 2007 SPIE Defense and Security Symposium (Orlando). This paper will provide a comprehensive review of an enhanced, user-friendly, Windows-executable, terahertz-band imaging system performance analysis and design tool that now includes additional features such as a MODTRAN-based atmospheric attenuation calculator and advanced system architecture configuration inputs that allow for straightforward performance analysis of active or passive systems based on scanning (single- or line-array detector element(s)) or staring (focal-plane-array detector elements) imaging architectures. This newly enhanced THz imaging system design tool is an extension of the advanced THz imaging system performance model that was developed under the Defense Advanced Research Project Agencys (DARPA) Terahertz Imaging Focal-Plane Technology (TIFT) program. This paper will also provide example system component (active-illumination source and detector) trade-study analyses using the new features of this user-friendly THz imaging system performance analysis and design tool.

Terahertz standoff imaging testbed design and performance for concealed weapon and device identification model development

This paper describes the design and performance of the U.S. Army RDECOM CERDEC Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorates (NVESD), active 0.640-THz imaging testbed, developed in support of the Defense Advanced Research Project Agencys (DARPA) Terahertz Imaging Focal-Plane Technology (TIFT) program. The laboratory measurements and standoff images were acquired during the development of a NVESD and Army Research Laboratory terahertz imaging performance model. The imaging testbed is based on a 12-inch-diameter Off-Axis Elliptical (OAE) mirror designed with one focal length at 1 m and the other at 10 m. This paper will describe the design considerations of the OAE-mirror, dual-capability, active imaging testbed, as well as measurement/imaging results used to further develop the model.

Reduced-size spiral antenna design using dielectric overlay loading for use in ground penetrating radar and design of alternative antennas using Vivaldi radiators

Spiral antennas are one of the common radiators used in ground penetrating radar (GPR). Mine detection is generally performed in a frequency band of interest between 500 MHz to 4 GHz. This paper discusses technical recommendations and R&D performed by Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC), China Lake, CA , resulting in our best effort spiral design emphasizing highest low band gain while maintaining overall axial ratio purity. This design consisted of a spiral printed on a high dielectric substrate that allowed the antenna to be used at lower frequencies then conventional plastic substrate based two arm spirals of the same diameter. A graded dielectric overlay scheme was employed to facilitate matching to free space on one side, and absorber lined cavity on the other. Test data is given in terms of match and free space patterns using spin linear sources to obtain antenna axial ratios. The low-end gain was improved from -17 dBi to -5 dBi. Two Vivaldi slot antennas (star junction fed and an antipodal construction) are discussed as alternative antennas offering broadband high gain and economical construction. Both designs produced good patterns with a +5 dBi average gain over the band. Patterns for the log spiral and Archimedean spiral, together with recommendations for future improvements are provided.

Dynamic MRTD simulation

Dynamic measurement of minimum resolvable temperature difference (MRTD) has been shown to avoid the problems of phase optimization and beat frequency disruption associated with static MRT testing of under sampled systems. In order to predict field performance, the relationship between static and dynamic MRTD (DMRTD) must be quantified. In this paper, the dynamic MRTD of a sampled system is performed using both laboratory measurements and a simulation. After reviewing, the principles of static and dynamic MRTD, the design of a sensor simulator is described. A comparison between real and simulated DMRTD is shown. Measurement procedures are documented for both the static and dynamic MRTD. Conclusions are given regarding the utility of the simulator for performing comparative experiments between static and dynamic MRTD.

First-order design and application of a coplanar waveguide matching network for a field emitter array using the microwave-to-optical transformation (MOT) method

The Microwave-to-Optical Transformation (MOT) method is based on the Optical Admittance Diagram an optical thin film filter design tool that uses the characteristic matrix, and the quarter wave rule for the design and analysis of microwave and optical computing circuits/components. As previously reported, this technique has also been extended for characterization of the electric field strength of certain microwave devices. This paper discusses a MOT designed co-planar waveguide transition component or network for use in launching power to a new generation microwave source known as a Field Emitter Array (FEA). This paper will give a brief description of an FEA and discuss the feasibility of designing a co-planar waveguide for this particular application.