Sparse aperture millimeter-wave imaging using optical detection and correlation techniques

C. A. Schuetz; R. D. Martin; I. Biswas; M. S. Mirotznik; S. Shi; G. J. Schneider; J. Murakowski; D. W. Prather

doi:10.1117/12.719811

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1 May 2007 Sparse aperture millimeter-wave imaging using optical detection and correlation techniques

C. A. Schuetz, R. D. Martin, I. Biswas, M. S. Mirotznik, S. Shi, G. J. Schneider, J. Murakowski, D. W. Prather

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Proceedings Volume 6548, Passive Millimeter-Wave Imaging Technology X; 65480B (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.719811
Event: Defense and Security Symposium, 2007, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

For many applications, the usefulness of millimeter-wave imagers is limited by the large aperture sizes required to obtain images of sufficient resolution. Sparse aperture techniques could open up wider range of applications by mitigating the volume requirements of high resolution imagers. In previous proceedings, we have presented an approach towards the realization of millimeter-wave, sparse-aperture imagers using optical techniques. By using electro-optic modulators to upconvert received millimeter-wave fields onto an optical carrier, such fields can be readily captured, routed, and processed using optical techniques. Such techniques could provide significant advantages over traditional heterodyne techniques. Herein, we present progress towards the physical realization of such an imager. Specifically, we discuss the implementation challenges that must be addressed to create such an imager and present in further detail the numerous advantages such an approach will yield. We also present results obtained from a working prototype system and show that these results are in good agreement with theoretical performance models.

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C. A. Schuetz, R. D. Martin, I. Biswas, M. S. Mirotznik, S. Shi, G. J. Schneider, J. Murakowski, and D. W. Prather "Sparse aperture millimeter-wave imaging using optical detection and correlation techniques", Proc. SPIE 6548, Passive Millimeter-Wave Imaging Technology X, 65480B (1 May 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.719811

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