Spatially-selective reflector structures, reflector disks, and systems and methods for use thereof

• US 9,297,693 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2013
• Issued: 03/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Memphis Research Foundation
• Original Assignee: University of Memphis Research Foundation
• Inventors: Furxhi, Orges, Jacobs, Eddie L., Layton, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): MADAMBA, GLENFORD J
• Application Number:
  US13/963,528
• Publication Number:
  US 20130321642A1
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 348/143
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/04 Optical or mechanical part supplementary adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/005 operating with millimetre waves, e.g. measuring the black losey radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0816 by means of one or more reflecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/20 for generating image signals from infrared radiation only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49888 Subsequently coating

Abstract

The invention provides a spatially-selective reflective structure for the detection of submillimeter electromagnetic waves and systems and methods incorporating spatially-selective reflective structures. One aspect of the invention provides a spatially-selective reflective structure including a partially-conducting slab and a modulating reflector disk adjacent to the partially-conducting slab. The modulating reflector disk includes a plurality of modulations. Another aspect of the invention provides a submillimeter imaging device including submillimeter wave optics, a spatially-selective reflective structure located in the focal plane of the submillimeter wave optics, a submillimeter wave receiver positioned to capture waves reflected from the spatially-selective reflective structure, and a motor configured to rotate the spatially-selective reflective structure. The spatially-selective reflective structure includes a partially-conducting slab and a modulating reflector disk adjacent to the partially-conducting slab. The modulating reflector plate includes one or more modulations.

Claims

1. A method of submillimeter imaging, the method comprising:

providing;

submillimeter wave optics;

a spatially-selective reflective structure located in the focal plane of the submillimeter wave optics;

a submillimeter wave receiver positioned to capture waves reflected from the spatially-selective reflective structure; and

a motor configured to rotate the spatially-selective reflective structure;

actuating the motor to rotate the spatially-selective reflective structure;

capturing a plurality of reflections from the plurality of modulations as the spatially-selective reflective structure rotates;

solving a system of equations wherein a magnitude of one of the plurality of reflections is equal to a sum of a product of the reflection in each of a plurality of pixels and the fraction of pixel area backed by the plurality of modulations; and

forming an image from the plurality of the pixels.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the number of equations in the system of equations is equal to the number reflections captured.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the plurality of modulations are arranged such that a matrix having a plurality rows, each with elements corresponding to a fraction of each pixel in a viewing window projected onto the disk that is backed by a modulation at a distinct rotational position of the disk, has linearly independent rows.