Focal plane array for THz imager and associated methods
First Claim
1. A high-frequency imaging system, comprising:
- a high frequency lens configured to form an image of an object at a focal plane, the object emitting electromagnetic radiation at a first frequency above the microwave band of the electromagnetic spectrum;
a local oscillator configured to generate an electromagnetic beam at a second frequency, the second frequency being higher than the first frequency; and
a plurality of dual-frequency antennas being arrayed to an effective length to receive the electromagnetic radiation at the first frequency, and configured to receive the electromagnetic beam at the second frequency, the dual frequency antennas configured to permit intermodulation of the first and second frequency generating a signal of a third frequency corresponding to the difference between the first and second frequencies, the signal representing the image.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A high-frequency imaging system for the millimeter and submillimeter radiation includes a high frequency lens to image an object at its focal plane. The object emits electromagnetic radiation at a first frequency above the microwave band of the electromagnetic spectrum. A local oscillator generates an electromagnetic beam at a second frequency to illuminate a plurality of dual-frequency antennas at the focal plane of the lens. Intermodulation of first and second frequencies generates a signal distribution of a third frequency over the focal plane, which represents an image. Also, a method of providing an image at the third frequency of an object emitting electromagnetic radiation at a first frequency is provided. The method includes imaging the electromagnetic radiation at the first frequency from each point of the object onto the focal plane. An electromagnetic beam is transmitted to illuminate all elements of the focal plane array.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A high-frequency imaging system, comprising:
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a high frequency lens configured to form an image of an object at a focal plane, the object emitting electromagnetic radiation at a first frequency above the microwave band of the electromagnetic spectrum; a local oscillator configured to generate an electromagnetic beam at a second frequency, the second frequency being higher than the first frequency; and a plurality of dual-frequency antennas being arrayed to an effective length to receive the electromagnetic radiation at the first frequency, and configured to receive the electromagnetic beam at the second frequency, the dual frequency antennas configured to permit intermodulation of the first and second frequency generating a signal of a third frequency corresponding to the difference between the first and second frequencies, the signal representing the image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A high-frequency two-dimensional focal plane antenna, comprising:
a plurality of dual-frequency antennas being arrayed to an effective length to receive signals at a first frequency above the microwave band of the electromagnetic spectrum, and configured to receive signals having a second frequency, and, the dual-frequency antennas are configured to permit intermodulation of the first and second frequencies generating a signal of a third frequency corresponding to the difference between the first and second frequencies. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of providing an image of an object emitting electromagnetic radiation at a first frequency above the microwave band of the electromagnetic spectrum, comprising:
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focusing the electromagnetic radiation from the object at a focal plane; transmitting an electromagnetic beam at a second frequency above the microwave band of the electromagnetic spectrum and offset from the first frequency by a difference frequency; receiving the electromagnetic beam and the electromagnetic radiation of the object at a high-frequency antenna comprising a plurality of dual-frequency antennas disposed in the focal plane, each dual-frequency antenna including at least two dipole antennas; and converting the first and second frequencies to a signal at the difference frequency through a nonlinear resonant circuit coupling the at least two dipole antennas, thereby providing an image. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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Specification