Up-conversion MMW imaging system based on Glow Discharge Detector row attached to commercial contact image sensor

Abstract

A new and inexpensive concept for MMW imaging is presented in this study. The new concept is based on a glow discharge detector (GDD) row and a commercially inexpensive contact image sensor (CIS). The GDD was found to be a sensitive MMW radiation sensor and was used as a pixel in MMW focal plan arrays (FPA). The up-conversion detection method is based on detection of changes in luminous intensity of the GDD pixel due to the interaction with MMW radiation. A row of 44 GDD pixels were attached to a commercial CIS forming a MMW row sensor (MRS). The CIS samples the GDD row emitted light using a 1728 photo sensor array, then converts the analog data to digital data using a standard ADC board. In order to construct a full 2D MMW image of an object, the MRS is laid on top of a computerized X/Y translation stage similar to the mechanism of scanners and copy machines. A digital lock-in amplifier software algorithm is used to improve the sensitivity and SNR of the MRS signals. The entire system will be controlled using LabVIEW software.