(DURIP) THZ IMAGING INSTRUMENTATION FOR AIR-FORCE AUTOMATIC TARGET RECOGNITION

Abstract

This DURIP Proposal concerns a new investigation of THz radiation in a fundamental research area, which is the electromagnetic interaction with rough surfaces, particularly rough metallic interfaces and convoluted objects. Of specific interest, and supported by Air Force interest, is scale-model targets that provide accurate representation of real targets in X band (8 – 12 GHz), where synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is most effective. To support this interest, our research will provide inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imagery of the rough, scaled-model radar targets, which brings demanding requirements in terms of amplitude and phase accuracy of the measurements, along with excellent beam quality and target registration. To meet these requirements, we request two baseline instruments: (1) a frequency-extended vector network analyzer operating in the 500 – 750 GHz band, and (2) a Gaussian-beam test fixture that allows “quasi-plane-wave” measurement of both complex reflectivity and transmissivity through freespace coupled materials and quasi-optical components over full hemispheres and with high levels of accuracy.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Apr 20, 2023
Source ID
FA95502210479

Entities

People

  • Elliott Brown

Organizations

  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
  • United States Air Force
  • Wright State University

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Quantum Dot Semiconductor Device Photonics and Graphene Optoelectronic Materials and THz Physics.
  • Radar Systems Engineering.
  • Research Science/Academic Research