Takayuki Sudou

Development of Terahertz focal plane arrays and handy camera

Uncooled Terahertz (THz) focal plane array (FPA), 320x240 format-23.5 μm pitch, and THz imager were developed. There are two types of THz-FPAs, i.e., broad-band type and narrow-band type. Since broad-band type THz-FPA was developed, a couple of modifications have been made to improve Noise Equivalent Power. The narrow-band type THz-FPA has such a new structure that Si cover is put above thermal isolation structure of broad-band type THz-FPA at a distance of half of wavelength of interest. Measurements on responsivities of narrow-band type FPAs show enhancement by a factor of ca. 3. Lock-in imaging technique has been developed, which increases signal-to-noise ratio as a function of square root of the number of frames of integration. Both passive and active THz imaging experiments were finally described.

Palm-size and real-time terahertz imager, and its application to development of terahertz sources

This paper describes features of uncooled palm-size and real-time Terahertz (THz) imager. The THz imager and powerful THz quantum cascade laser were assembled into THz microscope with which THz images of narrow string were obtained at 4.3 and 2.0 THz. The analyses on these images show that spatial resolutions evaluated at two frequencies are consistent with Fraunhofer diffraction limit. THz imager has been applied to investigate beam patterns for a variety of THz sources. The experimental results on beam patterns show that THz imager plays an important role in developing THz sources. A method for reducing non-uniformity due to strong coherency of THz sources is finally presented.

Performances of THz cameras with enhanced sensitivity in sub-terahertz region

Uncooled microbolometer-type 640x480 and 320x240 Terahertz (THz) focal plane arrays (FPAs) with enhanced sensitivity in sub-THz region are developed, and incorporated into 640x480 and 320x240 cameras, respectively. The pixel in the THz-FPA has such a structure that an area sensitive to electromagnetic wave is suspended above read-out integrated circuit (ROIC). A thin metallic layer is formed on the top of the sensitive area, while a thick metallic layer is formed on the surface of ROIC. The structure composed of the thin metallic layer and the thick metallic layer behaves as an optical cavity. The THz-FPAs reported in this paper have a modified pixel structure which has several times longer optical-cavity length than NEC’s previous pixel does, by forming a thick SiN layer on the ROIC. The extended optical-cavity structure is favorable for detecting electromagnetic wave with lower frequency. Consequently, the Minimum Detectable Power per pixel (MDP) is improved ten times in sub-THz region, especially 0.5-0.6 THz. This paper presents spectral frequency dependences of MDP values for THz-FPA with the modified pixel structure and THz-FPA with the previous pixel structure, using THz free electron laser (FEL) developed by Osaka University. The modification of pixel structure extends high sensitivity region to lower frequency region, such as sub-THz region, and the wider spectral coverage of THz camera surely expands its applicability

Image reconstruction method for non-synchronous THz signals

Image reconstruction method for non-synchronous THz signals was developed for a combination of THz Free Electron Laser (THz-FEL) developed by Osaka University with THz imager. The method employs a slight time-difference between repetition period of THz macro-pulse from THz-FEL and a plurality of frames for THz imager, so that image can be reconstructed out of a predetermined number of time-sequential frames. This method was applied to THz-FEL and other pulsed THz source, and found very effective. Thermal time constants of pixels in 320x240 microbolometer array were also evaluated with this method, using quantum cascade laser as a THz source.

Real-time transmission-type terahertz microscope with palm size terahertz camera and compact quantum cascade laser

This paper describes a real-time transmission-type Terahertz (THz) microscope, with palm-size THz camera and compact quantum cascade laser (QCL). The THz camera contains 320x240 microbolometer focal plane array which operates at 30 Hz frame rate and has lock-in imaging function as well as integration functions such as frame integration and spatial filter. These functions are found very powerful in improving signal-to-noise ratio. QCL is installed in compact Stirling cycle cooler. A variety of QCLs covers frequency range from 1.5 to 5 THz and provides time-average power of 0.5~2 mW. The illumination area for sample is changed by adjusting one lens in the illumination optics. Performances of the THz microscope, such as signal-to-noise ratio and so on, were measured and are found consistent with the calculations. THz images taken with the THz microscope are finally presented.

Palm-size and Real-time Uncooled THz camera, and THz imageries

Performance of palm-size uncooled THz camera is described, which contains 320x240 THz focal plane array. The THz camera operates at 30 Hz and has a lock-in function which can improve signal-to-noise ratio by controlling on/off of THz radiation source. THz imageries are presented, using this lock-in function.

Externally triggered imaging technique for microbolometer-type terahertz imager

The authors developed terahertz (THz) imager which incorporates 320x240 focal plane array (FPA) with enhanced sensitivity in sub-THz region (ca. 0.5 THz). The imager includes functions such as external-trigger imaging, lock-in imaging, beam profiling and so on. The function of the external-trigger imaging is mainly described in this paper, which was verified in combination of the THz imager with the pulsed THz free electron laser (THz-FEL) developed by Osaka University. The THz-FEL emits THz radiation in a wavelength range of 25 - 150 μm at repetition rates of 2.5, 3.3, 5.0 and 10 pulses per second. The external trigger pulse for the THz imager was generated with a pulse generator, using brightening pulse for THz-FEL. A series of pulses emitted by the THz-FEL at 86 μm were introduced to the THz imager and Joule meter via beam splitter, so that the output signal of THz imager was normalized with the output of the Joule meter and the stability of the THz radiation from FEL was also monitored. The normalized output signals of THz imager (digits/μJ) obtained at the repetition rates mentioned above were found consistent with one another. The timing-relation of the external trigger pulse to the brightening pulse was varied and the influence of the timing-relation on beam pattern is presented. These experimental results verify that the external trigger imaging function operates correctly.