Low Cost Thermopile Detectors for THz Imaging and Sensing

TL;DR

This paper evaluates thermopile sensors, including a commercial detector and a 32x32 FPA, for THz imaging, demonstrating high resolution and SNR with various sources in a simple setup.

Contribution

It introduces the use of thermopile sensors for THz imaging, showing their effectiveness with different sources and configurations.

Findings

High resolution and SNR achieved with thermopile detectors

Effective use of both cooled and room temperature THz sources

Demonstrated feasibility of simple, integrated THz imaging systems

Abstract

We evaluate 2 thermopile sensors as convenient detector options for a modern integrated THz imaging system. Both a commercial single pixel device and a 32x32 pixel FPA are utilized in a simple setup with a single optical element to achieve an outstanding resolution and SNR performance. Either a cryogenically cooled quantum cascade laser (QCL) or a room temperature electronic THz multiplier chain is used as source.