title: Compact, high average power, fiber-pumped terahertz source for active real-time imaging of concealed objects.
abstract: We have modeled and demonstrated a scalable, compact, fiber-pumped terahertz source based on difference frequency mixing (DFM) in zinc germanium phosphide (ZGP) capable of producing high average and peak-power pulses. Currently, our terahertz source produces 2 mW of average THz power and >40 W of peak power with sub-nanosecond pulses at a repetition rate of 100 kHz in the range of 2-3 THz without cryogenic cooling or ultra-fast optics. This high average power laser-based terahertz output enables the real-time imaging of concealed objects using an off-the-shelf uncooled microbolometer focal-plane array. With this THz system, we have imaged objects obscured inside in a common shipping envelope, demonstrating the potential of compact laser-based terahertz sources for use in security screening applications.
authors: BAE Systems Electronics and Integrated Solutions, PO Box 868, Nashua, NH 03061-0868, USA. daniel.creeden@baesystems.com
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Creeden
authors: John C
authors: JC
authors: McCarthy
authors: Peter A
authors: PA
authors: Ketteridge
authors: Peter G
authors: PG
authors: Schunemann
authors: Timothy
authors: T
authors: Southward
authors: James J
authors: JJ
authors: Komiak
authors: Evan P
authors: EP
authors: Chicklis