Abstract

Terahertz (THz) imaging has been demonstrated in numerous applications from medical to non-destructive evaluation (NDE), but current systems require expensive components, provide slow frame-rates and low resolutions. THz holography offers a potentially low-cost, high-performance alternative. Here we demonstrate the first full video-rate THz digital holography system at 2.52 THz (118.8 µm) using low-cost optical components. 2D digital reconstructions of samples are performed at frame-rates of 50 Hz - an order of magnitude higher than previous systems, whilst imaging of samples concealed in common packaging types demonstrates suitability for NDE applications. A lateral resolution of 250 µm was determined using a 1951 USAF target.

Highlights

  • Terahertz (THz) radiation describes electromagnetic radiation with a frequency of between 0.1 and 10 THz

  • In order to perform a fast hologram reconstruction, the graphics processing units (GPUs) were used with the Matlab GPU functionality to improve processing speed

  • We have demonstrated a real time THz digital holography system capable of imaging moving objects at a frame rate of 50 Hz and resolving features smaller than 280 μm

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Summary

Introduction

Terahertz (THz) radiation describes electromagnetic radiation with a frequency of between 0.1 and 10 THz. The reflection mode has been previously demonstrated to be beneficial for imaging highly absorbent materials with THz radiation - biological samples [17] It allows for easy separation of the amplitude and phase information [18] and separation of the zero-order mode compared to in-line holography systems whilst providing further advantages such as noise reduction [19] and ability to measure sub-wavelength changes in optical thickness [20]. This detector distance allowed enough space for the reference beam to combine with the object beam at the detector without interacting with the sample object.

Real time digital holography algorithm
Propagation
Optimizing resolution
Results
Conclusions

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