Abstract-Passive imaging of concealed objects in terahertz and long-wavelength infrared

Passive imaging of concealed objects in terahertz and long-wavelength infrared Marcin Kowalski, Mariusz Kastek, Michal Walczakowski, Norbert Palka, and Mieczyslaw Szustakowski  »View Author Affiliations

http://www.opticsinfobase.org/ao/abstract.cfm?uri=ao-54-13-3826

Applied Optics, Vol. 54, Issue 13, pp. 3826-3833 (2015)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/AO.54.003826

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Terahertz and infrared radiation have unique properties applicable to the field of surveillance and security systems. We investigated the possibility of detecting potentially dangerous objects covered by various types of clothing using passive imagers operating at 1.2 mm (250 GHz) and long-wavelength infrared at 6–15 μm (20–50 THz). We developed a measurement methodology that assumes to investigate theoretical limitations, performance of imagers, and physical properties of fabrics. To evaluate stability of the detection capabilities of imagers, we performed measurement sessions each lasting 30 min. We present a theoretical comparison of the two spectra and results of experiments using state-of-the-art equipment.

© 2015 Optical Society of America

Abstract-Multispectral THz-VIS passive imaging system for hidden threats visualization

Marcin Kowalski ; Norbert Palka ; Mieczyslaw Szustakowski

http://proceedings.spiedigitallibrary.org/proceeding.aspx?articleid=1759227

Terahertz imaging, is the latest entry into the crowded field of imaging technologies. Many applications are emerging for the relatively new technology. THz radiation penetrates deep into nonpolar and nonmetallic materials such as paper, plastic, clothes, wood, and ceramics that are usually opaque at optical wavelengths. The T-rays have large potential in the field of hidden objects detection because it is not harmful to humans. The main difficulty in the THz imaging systems is low image quality thus it is justified to combine THz images with the high-resolution images from a visible camera. An imaging system is usually composed of various subsystems. Many of the imaging systems use imaging devices working in various spectral ranges. Our goal is to build a system harmless to humans for screening and detection of hidden objects using a THz and VIS cameras. © (2013) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.