We discuss about a fully-staring THz video camera prototype intended for security screening. The camera utilizes so-called kinetic inductance bolometers to detect THz radiation in the bandwidth of 0.3-1 THz. The imaging distance is 2.5 m with the nominal field-of-view of 2 m × 1 m. The camera is equipped with a kilo-pixel detector array, intermediate-scale cryogenics operating at 6 K, and low-noise electronics to read out the whole detector array. Here, we focus on describing the wide field-of-view and close-looking optical system of the imager.
We present a fully-staring THz video camera prototype intended for security screening. The camera utilizes so-called kinetic inductance bolometers to detect THz radiation in the bandwidth of 0.3-1 THz. The imaging distance is 2.5 m with the field-of-view being 2 m × 1 m. The camera is equipped with a kilo-pixel detector array, large field-of-view optics, intermediate-scale cryogenics operating at 6 K, and low-noise electronics to read out the whole detector array. The imaging capabilities of the system are demonstrated through radiometric performance characterization and actual imaging experiments.
Kinetic inductance bolometer (KIB) technology is a candidate for scalable submillimeter wave imaging systems, particularly suitable for person security screening applications. We have previously shown that the basic figures of merit are compatible with room-temperature radiometric imaging applications, and demonstrated the functionality of kilo-pixel detector arrays. In this article, we report on our imaging system based on 8208 KIBs organized on a 2D focal plane. We provide an overview on the basic components, including the detectors, optics, and cryogenics, and describe aspects relevant in system integration. Moreover, we demonstrate the capacity in actual concealed object detection by presenting datasets revealing metallic and dielectric objects hidden under the clothes of a test person.
In 2015, Asqella Oy commercialized a passive multi-band submillimeter-wave camera system intended for use in walk-by personnel security screening applications. In this paper we study the imagery acquired with the prototype of the ARGON passive multi-band submm-wave video camera. To challenge the system and test its limits, imagery has been obtained in various environments with varying background surface temperatures, with people of different body types, with different clothing materials and numbers of layers of clothing and with objects of different materials. In addition to the phenomenological study, we discuss the detection statistics of the system, evaluated by running blind trials with human operators. While significant improvements have been made particularly in the software side since the beginning of the testing, the obtained imagery enables a comprehensive evaluation of the capabilities and challenges of the multiband submillimeter-wave imaging system.
Stand-off detection for concealed weapons is one of the applications for passive submillimetre-wave imaging. The
operating frequency (neglecting technology limitations) is often a compromise between the diffraction-limited angular
resolution for a fixed maximum aperture diameter, and the extinction of the signal in obscurant layers: At high
frequencies towards the 1 THz mark, excellent angular resolution is readily achievable with modest aperture diameters,
while scattering and attenuation by clothing is high which creates potentially more clutter rather than improving
detection capability. At lower frequencies towards 100 GHz, attenuation and scattering by clothing is much less
pronounced, albeit at significantly reduced spatial definition thanks to increased diffraction. In order to avoid the above-mentioned
compromise, we have constructed a three-band passive imaging system operating at effective centre
frequencies of 250 GHz, 450 GHz and 720 GHz. Aspects of the system will be presented.
In the paper we present the performance of our new 128 -channel passive submillimeter-wave camera, capable of cm-scale
resolution at 5 m standoff and frame rates up to 10 fps. The measured resolution metrics for the system will be
presented.
In this paper we given an overview of the design and predicted performance of a passive video-rate THz camera intended
for stand-off and walk-by concealed weapons and explosives detection. The system is based on previously reported
work, and it utilizes a linear array of superconducting antenna-coupled microbolometers. Our present efforts have
focussed on improving the performance, stability, set-up time and cost of production of the camera. The system is
designed to acquire near video frame rate (~10 Hz) passive THz imagery of objects at ~5 meters from the system, with a
field-of-view of 2 m x 1 m and a spatial resolution of 1 cm. The system will be readily integrated to other security
systems as it provides encrypted stream of THz imagery over conventional LAN interface that also allows for remote
operation.
The performance of stand-off imaging systems of concealed weapons in the mm-wave range remains limited by the
relatively poor angular resolution using practical aperture sizes. For this reason, increasing the operating frequency of the
systems is desired, but in practice is hard to realize due to the lack of affordable, low noise amplifiers well beyond 100
GHz. In this paper we present a passive terahertz imaging system which acquires passive terahertz (~200 GHz - ~1 THz)
imagery near video frame rate. The system, one copy of which is built in Finland and the other in the U.S., is based on a
64 pixel linear array of superconducting antenna-coupled microbolometers operated within a commercial cryogen-free
closed cycle cryocooler, and utilizes conical scanning Schmidt optics. Quantitative measurements on the imager
resolution metrics (thermal, spatial and temporal) will be presented. The results from field tests at the Helsinki-Vantaa
airport will be presented.
At present, the imaging of concealed weapons and contraband is primarily carried out at a relatively short stand-off range
of a few meters mainly because of spatial resolution considerations. In order to maintain a reasonable aperture size, there
is a desire to extend the operating frequency towards 1 THz. In this paper we report the progress on a video-rate THz
camera demonstrator which utilizes broadband antenna-coupled microbolometers as detectors, operated within a turnkey
commercial closed-cycle cryocooler. A full system has been integrated consisting of 64 parallel sensors and readout
electronics, and reflective Schmidt camera optics incorporating a conical scanner for real time imaging.
Passive imaging of concealed objects at stand-off distances in excess of a few meters requires both excellent spatial,
thermal and temporal resolution from the terahertz imaging system. The combination of these requirements while
keeping the overall system cost at a reasonable level has been the motivation for this joint work. The THz imaging
system under development is capable of sub-Kelvin NETD at video frame rates. In this paper we report the first imaging
results from a 16-pixel array of superconducting antenna-coupled NbN vacuum-bridge microbolometers, operated within
a cryogen-free, turn-key refrigerator. In addition to the system overview, we shall also address the uniformity of the
detectors and present passive indoors raster-scanned imagery.
We present ultrawideband imagery obtained with modular, 8-element, superconducting Nb microbolometer arrays.
Conically scanned images are presented and compared with
raster-scanned images obtained on the same arrays and
from similar NbN arrays at VTT. Statistical data on detector
non-uniformity, and methods for mitigating and
compensating it are described. Low-noise readout is accomplished with room-temperature electronics using the
transimpedance scheme of Pentilla et al. Characterization of spatial resolution, noise-equivalent temperature
difference, and spectral response is done using metrology
tools - standard targets, mm-wave blackbodies, and variable
filters - that have been developed at NIST for this purpose.
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