Optimization of a 3.6-THz quantum cascade laser for real-time imaging with a microbolometer focal plane array

Barry N. Behnken; Gamani Karunasiri; Danielle Chamberlin; Peter Robrish; Jérôme Faist

doi:10.1117/12.767671

14 February 2008 Optimization of a 3.6-THz quantum cascade laser for real-time imaging with a microbolometer focal plane array

Barry N. Behnken, Gamani Karunasiri, Danielle Chamberlin, Peter Robrish, Jérôme Faist

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6893, Terahertz Technology and Applications; 68930L (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.767671
Event: Integrated Optoelectronic Devices 2008, 2008, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

Real-time imaging in the terahertz (THz) spectral range was achieved using a 3.6-THz quantum cascade laser (QCL) and an uncooled, 160×120 pixel microbolometer camera fitted with a picarin lens. Noise equivalent temperature difference of the camera in the 1-5 THz frequency range was calculated to be at least 3 K, confirming the need for external THz illumination when imaging in this frequency regime. After evaluating the effects of various operating parameters on laser performance, the QCL found to perform optimally at 1.9 A in pulsed mode with a 300 kHz repetition rate and 10-20% duty cycle; average output power was approximately 1 mW. Under this scheme, a series of metallic objects were imaged while wrapped in various obscurants. Single-frame and extended video recordings demonstrate strong contrast between metallic materials and those of plastic, cloth, and paper - supporting the viability of this imaging technology in security screening applications. Thermal effects arising from Joule heating of the laser were found to be the dominant issue affecting output power and image quality; these effects were mitigated by limiting laser pulse widths to 670 ns and operating the system under closed-cycle refrigeration at a temperature of 10 K.

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Barry N. Behnken, Gamani Karunasiri, Danielle Chamberlin, Peter Robrish, and Jérôme Faist "Optimization of a 3.6-THz quantum cascade laser for real-time imaging with a microbolometer focal plane array", Proc. SPIE 6893, Terahertz Technology and Applications, 68930L (14 February 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.767671

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KEYWORDS

Quantum cascade lasers

Terahertz radiation

Microbolometers

Cameras

Imaging systems

Staring arrays

Pulsed laser operation

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