Compact, high average power, fiber-pumped terahertz source for active real-time imaging of concealed objects.
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.
Creeden
Daniel
D
BAE Systems Electronics and Integrated Solutions, PO Box 868, Nashua, NH 03061-0868, USA. daniel.creeden@baesystems.com
McCarthy
John C
JC
Ketteridge
Peter A
PA
Schunemann
Peter G
PG
Southward
Timothy
T
Komiak
James J
JJ
Chicklis
Evan P
EP