Volume 10 Issue 1
Jan.  2017
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Article Contents
TAN Zhi-yong, WAN Wen-jian, LI Hua, CAO Jun-cheng. Progress in real-time imaging based on terahertz quantum-cascade lasers[J]. Chinese Optics, 2017, 10(1): 68-76. doi: 10.3788/CO.20171001.0068
Citation: TAN Zhi-yong, WAN Wen-jian, LI Hua, CAO Jun-cheng. Progress in real-time imaging based on terahertz quantum-cascade lasers[J]. Chinese Optics, 2017, 10(1): 68-76. doi: 10.3788/CO.20171001.0068

Progress in real-time imaging based on terahertz quantum-cascade lasers

doi: 10.3788/CO.20171001.0068
Funds:

National Program on Key Basic Research Projects of China 2014CB339803

National Natural Science Foundation of China 61131006

National Natural Science Foundation of China 61321492

National Natural Science Foundation of China 61575214

National Natural Science Foundation of China 61405233

Major National Development Project of Scientific Instrument and Equipment 2011YQ150021

Hundred Talent Program of the China Academy Sciences 

International Collaboration and Innovation Program on High Mobility Materials Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology 14530711300

International Collaboration and Innovation Program on High Mobility Materials Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology 15DZ0500103

More Information
  • Corresponding author: CAO Jun-cheng, E-mail:jccao@mail.sim.ac.cn
  • Received Date: 19 Sep 2016
  • Rev Recd Date: 12 Oct 2016
  • Publish Date: 01 Feb 2017
  • Terahertz (THz) real-time imaging is a promising field in most of THz technologies. It has lots of features such as fast imaging, high-resolution imaging, etc. The imaging system based on THz quantum-cascade laser (QCL) is one of the most important THz imaging techologies. This type of imaging system has a unique advantage in applications with the features of small size, light weight, and high SNR. In this paper, the research progress of THz QCL and the related real-time imaging system are mainly presented. A hyper-hemispherical high-resistivity silicon lens is used to improve the beam quality of THz QCL. Then a quasi-Gaussian light beam is acquired in imaging system. A THz real-time imaging system is constructed by employing a two dimensional wobbling mirror to eliminate the interference of the THz light. A beam spot size of 45 mm×30 mm for single frame imaging is obtained. The real-time imaging for blade and tablets is demonstrated with a resolution better than 0.5 mm. Finally, the improvements of the source, optics, and detector array of the system and the imaging effect are summarized. The application prospect in material analysis and bio-medical imaging as well as the future trends of the real-time imaging system are discussed.

     

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