MEMS Terahertz Focal Plane Array With Optical Readout

Abstract

The terahertz (THz) spectral range remains a relatively untapped portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. THz radiations unique ability to penetrate non-metallic materials presents an exciting opportunity for many imaging applications. The purpose of this research is to investigate a unique imaging method using a THz radiation source and metamaterial absorber. By using a metamaterial absorber, the THz detection frequency of interest can be tuned by controlling geometrical parameters with nearly 100% absorption. THz sensing can be achieved by integrating a metamaterial absorber with bi-material legs to form a sensor. Moveable mirror like surfaces on the backside of the metamaterial under THz absorption can cause a deflection of visible light and from it, the original image can be reconstructed using an optical readout system.In this thesis, the construction of the optical readout system for characterization of sensor pixels as well as THz imaging is described.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2016
Accession Number
AD1026586

Entities

People

  • Hugo Jr A. Gonzalez

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Dielectrics
  • Electromagnetic Spectra
  • Focal Plane Arrays
  • Focal Planes
  • Frequency
  • Infrared Detectors
  • Light Sources
  • Materials Science
  • Metamaterial Absorbers
  • Optics
  • Refraction
  • Refractive Index
  • Spectra
  • Terahertz Radiation
  • Visible Spectra

Fields of Study

  • Materials science
  • Physics

Readers

  • Image Processing and Computer Vision.
  • Optical Fiber Sensing and Electromagnetic Propagation.
  • Quantum Dot Semiconductor Device Photonics and Graphene Optoelectronic Materials and THz Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems