2D und 3D Terahertz Bildgebung mit einem Quantenkaskadenlaser

Abstract

Imaging with terahertz (THz) waves is very promising for many applications in biomedicine, non-destructive testing, art conservation, and security. A number of imaginf approaches have been already demonstrated, for example by the use of commercial microbolometer array cameras in conjunction with quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs). While the use of an array enables fast imaging, such an approach often suffers from fringe artifacts caused by the coherent illumination. In contrast, imaging systems with single-pixel detectors and mechanical scanning are rather time consuming. We present an approach which provides both, sensitive single-pixel detection as well as fast image acquisition, by the use of a fast scanning mirror. As a source, a QCL is used, since it is compact as well as easy to handle and provides a high output power in continuous-wave mode.