Prof. Amir Abramovich Profile

Prof. Amir Abramovich

Researcher at Ariel Univ

SPIE Involvement:

Conference Program Committee | Author

Publications (28)

Proceedings Article | 15 November 2024 Presentation + Paper

Fast readout of innovative glow discharge detector focal plane arrays for affordable millimeter wave imaging: design, implementation, and advancements

Arun Ramachandra Kurup, Daniel Rozban, Yehuda Azulay, Natan Kopeika, Yitzhak Yitzhaky, Amir Abramovich

Proceedings Volume 13204, 1320407 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3031348

KEYWORDS: Signal detection, Sensors, Millimeter wave imaging, Millimeter wave sensors, Data acquisition

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Proceedings Article | 14 June 2023 Presentation + Paper

Fast and sensitive MMW imaging system with up-conversion readout working in the NIR zone

Arun Ramachandra Kurup, Daniel Rozban, Natan Kopeika, Yitzhak Yitzhaky, Hakan Altan, Amir Abramovich

Proceedings Volume 12535, 125350N (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2663456

KEYWORDS: Extremely high frequency, Optical filters, CCD cameras, Imaging systems, Cameras, Near infrared, Image filtering, Millimeter wave imaging, Terahertz detection, Terahertz radiation

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Focal plane arrays (FPA) constructed using glow discharge detectors (GDD) as the pixel elements proved to be an inexpensive methodology for generating MMW (millimeter wave)/THz (terahertz) images. In the abnormal glow mode of operation, the weakly ionized plasma (WIP) in GDDs can be more responsive while interacting with the incident MMW/THz radiations. It has explicitly been found that the major influence of MMW/THz radiation on the emitted light spectrum from the GDD is located in the near-infrared (NIR) zone of the electromagnetic spectrum which is around 800 nm– 1000 nm. Also, there is no influence of the MMW/THz on the visual band ranging from 500 nm–600 nm emitted from the GDD. The up-conversion method utilized here refers to the detection of variations in the intensity of emitted light from the GDD due to the incident MMW radiation. A charge-coupled device (CCD) camera is employed here to generate MMW/THz images by capturing the light output from the GDD pixel elements on the FPA located in the image plane. The DC bias voltage emitted light from the GDD is much stronger than the modulated light produced as a result of the incident MMW/THz radiation. The major challenge of this work is to measure this minute variation in the GDD light output caused by the MMW/THz radiation and to distinguish it from the intense DC bias operation light of the GDD. For achieving this, we propose using an optical long-pass filter as a part of the CCD camera component, thus enhancing the performance of the suggested up-conversion method. The addition of the long-pass filter eliminates most of the highly intense visual spectrum from the light output of the GDD, thereby decreasing noise and making the up-conversion imaging more effective. Here, we demonstrated the feasibility of implementing GDD-based FPAs using up-conversion readout for MMW/THz imaging applications in the NIR regime by testing with a single GDD whose detection impact was captured using a CCD camera whose zoom lens was coupled with a long pass optical filter.

Proceedings Article | 28 October 2022 Presentation + Paper

MMW imaging system based on GDD focal plane array with improved technology for detection of concealed objects

Arun Ramachandra Kurup, Daniel Rozban, Lidor Kahana, Natan Kopeika, Yitzhak Yitzhaky, Amir Abramovich

Proceedings Volume 12275, 1227506 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2637895

KEYWORDS: Extremely high frequency, Sensors, Staring arrays, Signal detection, Reflectors, Imaging systems, Mirrors, Data acquisition, Millimeter wave imaging, Detection and tracking algorithms

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Proceedings Article | 20 August 2020 Presentation + Paper

Upconversion of millimeter waves to visible waves: inexpensive focal plane array MMW imaging and ultra-fast MMW wireless communication

Amir Abramovich, Yitzhak Yitzhaky, Natan Kopeika, Lidor Kahana, Daniel Rozban

Proceedings Volume 11499, 114990U (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2570477

KEYWORDS: Extremely high frequency, Staring arrays, Sensors, Signal detection, Upconversion, Ionization, Ions, Neon, Millimeter wave imaging

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It is well known that one of the major bottlenecks of MMW and Terahertz system technology is the lack of inexpensive but sensitive and fast detectors. One way of overcoming this problem is the use of commercial neon indicator plasma lamps or glow discharge detectors (GDD) as MMW and THz detectors. Prices are on the order of about half a dollar per lamp. In electronic mode of detection, the incident MMW or THz wave electric field gives rise to an increase in free electron energy above that provided by DC bias, and thus increases ionization collision rate with neutral Ne atoms and increases current. NEP on the order of 10^-10 W/sqrt Hz is easily obtainable, with rise time on the order of a microsecond. Noise is characterized by electron temperature. However, recently we have reported an optical means of detection which is manifested as an increase in light intensity emitted by the lamps caused by the incident MMW/THz wave. The detected signal is thus upconverted to the visible, and is measured using optical detectors such as avalanche photodiodes or CCD or CMOS cameras focused on the GDD to measure change in emitted light intensity. This gives rise to measured improvement in NEP by about 2 orders of magnitude and in speed by at least 3 orders of magnitude. The detection stems from increase in free electron recombination rate with positive Ne ions, especially in the cathode region, according to the increase in ionization collisions caused by the MMW/THz electric field. There, positive ions bombard the cathode and cause secondary emission of free electrons. There are thus high concentrations of positive Ne ions and free electrons in the cathode vicinity, giving rise to recombination rate increase and, thus, light intensity increase. The recombination rate increase there derives primarily from the role of positive Ne ions which also govern the secondary electron emission rate from the cathode. Consequently, noise temperature in upconversion derives primarily from the positive ion temperature, which is several orders of magnitude less than that of free electrons because of the much heavier mass of the positive ions, thus reducing NEP. Response speed in electronic detection is limited by parasitic capacitance and inductance deriving from the electrodes. However, in optical detection or upconversion, we do not use detection current in the GDD. The input is the MMW/THz wave. The output is the visible wave deriving from the change in GDD emitted light intensity. Unlike detection current, both waves propagate at the speed of light. Indeed, we report detected modulation frequencies on the order of 3 GHZ for 100 GHz wireless communication. This is limited not by the GDD but rather by external components such as optical detectors and amplifiers. We report also imaging experiment results with GDD focal plane arrays of 16x16 detectors and various techniques for increasing the number of focal plane array detectors. Super resolution techniques permit surpassing the diffraction resolution limit.

Proceedings Article | 11 May 2018 Presentation + Paper

Inexpensive and simple MMW imaging using optical detection of light emitted from glow discharge detectors

Daniel Rozban, Avihai Aharon, Amir Abramovich, Yitzhak Yitzhaky, Natan Kopeika

Proceedings Volume 10634, 106340J (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2304313

KEYWORDS: Extremely high frequency, Sensors, Millimeter wave imaging, Staring arrays, Imaging systems, Cameras, CMOS cameras, Upconversion, CMOS sensors, Plasma

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Proceedings Article | 5 October 2017 Paper

MMW/THz imaging using upconversion to visible, based on glow discharge detector array and CCD camera

Avihai Aharon, Daniel Rozban, Amir Abramovich, Yitzhak Yitzhaky, Natan Kopeika

Proceedings Volume 10441, 1044102 (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2278067

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Upconversion, CMOS cameras, Terahertz radiation, Signal detection, CCD cameras

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Proceedings Article | 21 October 2016 Paper

Up-conversion of MMW radiation to visual band using glow discharge detector and silicon detector

Avihai Aharon Akram, Daniel Rozban, Amir Abramovich, Yitzhak Yitzhaky, Natan Kopeika

Proceedings Volume 9993, 999309 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2242086

KEYWORDS: Extremely high frequency, Sensors, Imaging systems, Visualization, Terahertz radiation, Lamps, Staring arrays, Silicon, Signal detection, Photodetectors

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Proceedings Article | 25 February 2016 Paper

Perfect absorber metamaterial for real time detection and recognition of micro-poisons in aqueous solutions and atmosphere using millimeter wavelength spectroscopy

A. Abramovich, D. Rotshild, M. Ochana, D. Rozban

Proceedings Volume 9747, 97470O (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2214085

KEYWORDS: Metamaterials, Spectroscopy, Metals, Manufacturing, Dielectrics, Terahertz radiation, Atmospheric sensing, Spectroscopic atmospheric monitoring techniques, Extremely high frequency, Spectral resolution, Sensors

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Proceedings Article | 8 June 2015 Paper

Feasibility of Radon projection acquisition for compressive imaging in MMW region based new video rate 16x16 GDD FPA camera

Assaf Levanon, Michael Konstantinovsky, Natan Kopeika, Yitzhak Yitzhaky, A. Stern, Svetlana Turak, Amir Abramovich

Proceedings Volume 9462, 94620K (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2180367

KEYWORDS: Extremely high frequency, Radon, Sensors, Staring arrays, Mirrors, Cameras, Millimeter wave imaging, Lamps, Imaging systems, Video

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Proceedings Article | 7 October 2014 Paper

Real time three-dimensional space video rate sensors for millimeter waves imaging based very inexpensive plasma LED lamps

Assaf Levanon, Yitzhak Yitzhaky, Natan Kopeika, Daniel Rozban, Amir Abramovich

Proceedings Volume 9252, 925206 (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2065872

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Staring arrays, Extremely high frequency, Imaging systems, Lamps, Millimeter wave imaging, Plasma, Video, Mirrors, Modulation

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In recent years, much effort has been invested to develop inexpensive but sensitive Millimeter Wave (MMW) detectors that can be used in focal plane arrays (FPAs), in order to implement real time MMW imaging. Real time MMW imaging systems are required for many varied applications in many fields as homeland security, medicine, communications, military products and space technology. It is mainly because this radiation has high penetration and good navigability through dust storm, fog, heavy rain, dielectric materials, biological tissue, and diverse materials. Moreover, the atmospheric attenuation in this range of the spectrum is relatively low and the scattering is also low compared to NIR and VIS. The lack of inexpensive room temperature imaging systems makes it difficult to provide a suitable MMW system for many of the above applications. In last few years we advanced in research and development of sensors using very inexpensive (30-50 cents) Glow Discharge Detector (GDD) plasma indicator lamps as MMW detectors. This paper presents three kinds of GDD sensor based lamp Focal Plane Arrays (FPA). Those three kinds of cameras are different in the number of detectors, scanning operation, and detection method. The 1st and 2nd generations are 8 × 8 pixel array and an 18 × 2 mono-rail scanner array respectively, both of them for direct detection and limited to fixed imaging. The last designed sensor is a multiplexing frame rate of 16x16 GDD FPA. It permits real time video rate imaging of 30 frames/ sec and comprehensive 3D MMW imaging. The principle of detection in this sensor is a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) system while each of the 16 GDD pixel lines is sampled simultaneously. Direct detection is also possible and can be done with a friendly user interface. This FPA sensor is built over 256 commercial GDD lamps with 3 mm diameter International Light, Inc., Peabody, MA model 527 Ne indicator lamps as pixel detectors. All three sensors are fully supported by software Graphical Unit Interface (GUI). They were tested and characterized through different kinds of optical systems for imaging applications, super resolution, and calibration methods. Capability of the 16x16 sensor is to employ a chirp radar like method to produced depth and reflectance information in the image. This enables 3-D MMW imaging in real time with video frame rate. In this work we demonstrate different kinds of optical imaging systems. Those systems have capability of 3-D imaging for short range and longer distances to at least 10-20 meters.

Proceedings Article | 7 October 2014 Paper

Detection of hidden objects using a real-time 3-D millimeter-wave imaging system

Daniel Rozban, Avihai Aharon, Assaf Levanon, Amir Abramovich, Yitzhak Yitzhaky, N. Kopeika

Proceedings Volume 9253, 925307 (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2066983

KEYWORDS: Terahertz radiation, Staring arrays, Mirrors, Imaging systems, Extremely high frequency, Sensors, Radar, Dielectrics, Metals, 3D image processing

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SPIE Journal Paper | 22 August 2014

Fourier imaging and distance approximation using time of flight method for terahertz wave imaging

Amit Levi, Natan Kopeika, Amir Abramovich, Daniel Rozban

OE, Vol. 53, Issue 08, 083104, (August 2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.OE.53.8.083104

KEYWORDS: Fourier transforms, Terahertz radiation, Sensors, Imaging systems, Mirrors, Phase retrieval, Optical engineering, Image restoration, Wave propagation, Spatial frequencies

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Proceedings Article | 9 June 2014 Paper

Polarization effects on heterodyne detection and imaging using Glow Discharge Detector at millimeter wavelengths

Avihai Aharon Akram, Daniel Rozban, Niv Banay, A. Abramovich, N. Kopeika, Assaf Levanon

Proceedings Volume 9078, 90780F (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2053175

KEYWORDS: Signal detection, Heterodyning, Sensors, Polarization, Terahertz radiation, Detection theory, Plasma, Electrons, Polarizers, Neon

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Proceedings Article | 9 June 2014 Paper

Large distance 3D imaging of hidden objects

Daniel Rozban, Avihai Aharon Akram, N. Kopeika, A. Abramovich, Assaf Levanon

Proceedings Volume 9078, 90780C (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2053330

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Imaging systems, Radar, Extremely high frequency, Staring arrays, Mirrors, Metals, Antennas, 3D image processing, Dielectrics

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Proceedings Article | 4 March 2014 Paper

Real-time 3D millimeter wave imaging based FMCW using GGD focal plane array as detectors

Assaf Levanon, Daniel Rozban, Natan Kopeika, Yitzhak Yitzhaky, Amir Abramovich

Proceedings Volume 9022, 90220R (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2041205

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Signal detection, Imaging systems, Radar, Staring arrays, Extremely high frequency, Mirrors, Heterodyning, Antennas, Dielectrics

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SPIE Journal Paper | 24 June 2013

Oversampling advances in millimeter-wave scan imaging using inexpensive neon indicator lamp detectors

Assaf Levanon, Natan Kopeika, Yitzhak Yitzhaky, Amir Abramovich, Daniel Rozban, Hezi Joseph, Avihai Aharon, Alex Belenky, Michael Gefen, Orly Yadid-Pecht

OE, Vol. 52, Issue 06, 063202, (June 2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.OE.52.6.063202

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Lamps, Extremely high frequency, Millimeter wave imaging, Imaging systems, Scanners, Staring arrays, Mirrors, Line scan image sensors, Neon

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Proceedings Article | 31 May 2013 Paper

Heterodyne detection at 300 GHz using glow discharge detectors with efficient quasi-optical design

Avihai Aharon Akram, Daniel Rozban, Assaf Levanon , A. Abramovich, N. Kopeika

Proceedings Volume 8716, 87160T (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2015562

KEYWORDS: Signal detection, Heterodyning, Sensors, Terahertz radiation, Picosecond phenomena, Plasma, Dielectric polarization, Electrons, Dielectrics, Oscillators

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Proceedings Article | 9 May 2012 Paper

Down-conversion detection in 300 GHz radiation using Glow Discharge Detector (GDD)

Avihai Aharon Akram, N. Kopeika, A. Abramovich, B. Slavin

Proceedings Volume 8363, 83630K (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.930619

KEYWORDS: Signal detection, Heterodyning, Sensors, Terahertz radiation, Picosecond phenomena, Electrons, Oscillators, Signal to noise ratio, Ionization, Modulation

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Proceedings Article | 9 May 2012 Paper

Sub-wavelength resolution of MMW imaging systems using extremely inexpensive scanning Glow Discharge Detector (GDD) double row camera

N. Kopeika, A. Abramovich, A. Levanon, A. Akram, D. Rozban, Y. Yitzhaky, O. Yadid-Pecht, A. Belenky

Proceedings Volume 8362, 83620G (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.918906

KEYWORDS: Terahertz radiation, Image resolution, Diffraction, Staring arrays, Imaging systems, Sensors, Extremely high frequency, Cameras, Lamps, Millimeter wave imaging

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Proceedings Article | 13 October 2011 Paper

Low-cost THz heterodyne detection by miniature neon indicator lamp glow discharge detector

H. Joseph, N. Kopeika, A. Abramovich, A. Akram, A. Levanon, D. Rozban

Proceedings Volume 8188, 81880P (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.898035

KEYWORDS: Signal detection, Sensors, Heterodyning, Terahertz radiation, Neon, Plasma, Lamps, Microwave radiation, Modulation, Ionization

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Proceedings Article | 13 October 2011 Paper

Super resolution and optical properties of THz double row array based on inexpensive Glow Discharge Detector (GDD) pixels

A. Abramovich, N. Kopeika, D. Rozban, A. Levanon, Moshe Shilemay, A. Akram, H. Joseph, O. Yadid-Pecht, A. Belenky

Proceedings Volume 8188, 81880A (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.898024

KEYWORDS: Terahertz radiation, Super resolution, Sensors, Digital signal processing, Point spread functions, Staring arrays, Modulation transfer functions, Imaging systems, Metals, Lamps

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Proceedings Article | 8 September 2011 Paper

mm wave and THz imaging using very inexpensive neon-indicator lamp detector focal-plane arrays

D. Rozban, A. Levanon, A. Akram, A. Abramovich, N. Kopeika, H. Joseph, Y. Yitzthaky, A. Belenky, O. Yadid-Pecht

Proceedings Volume 8119, 81190I (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.892571

KEYWORDS: Terahertz radiation, Staring arrays, Lamps, Digital signal processing, Sensors, Metals, Imaging systems, Ionization, Diffraction, Detector development

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Proceedings Article | 12 October 2010 Paper

THz imaging using Glow Discharge Detector (GDD) focal plane arrays and large aperture quasi optic mirrors

N. Kopeika, A. Abramovich, H. Joseph, D. Rozban, A. Akram, A. Levanon, O. Yadid-Pecht, A. Belenky, S. Lineykin

Proceedings Volume 7837, 783708 (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.864852

KEYWORDS: Terahertz radiation, Staring arrays, Sensors, Mirrors, Lamps, Microwave radiation, Infrared radiation, Ionization, Image resolution, Metals

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Proceedings Article | 28 August 2010 Paper

Low-cost plasma terahertz heterodyne image detection

H. Joseph, A. Abramovich, N. Kopeika, D. Rozban, A. Akram

Proceedings Volume 7818, 78180V (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.858811

KEYWORDS: Signal detection, Heterodyning, Sensors, Electrons, Terahertz radiation, Transmitters, Plasma, Oscillators, Chemical species, Ionization

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Proceedings Article | 24 September 2009 Paper

First operation of 8x8 glow discharge detector VLSI focal plane array toward mm wave and THz radiation video rate imaging

N. Kopeika, A. Abramovich, H. Joseph, A. Akram, O. Yadid-Pecht, A. Belenky, S. Lineykin

Proceedings Volume 7485, 74850K (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.830217

KEYWORDS: Staring arrays, Terahertz radiation, Signal detection, Heterodyning, Sensors, Signal to noise ratio, Very large scale integration, Video, Switching, Picosecond phenomena

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Proceedings Article | 1 September 2009 Paper

Active terahertz imaging with Ne indicator lamp detector arrays

N. Kopeika, A. Abramovich, O. Yadid-Pecht, Y. Yitzhaky

Proceedings Volume 7468, 74680T (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.825569

KEYWORDS: Signal detection, Terahertz radiation, Heterodyning, Staring arrays, Imaging systems, Signal to noise ratio, Sensors, Oscillators, Neon, Lamps

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