# Ultra-high-speed Terahertz Imaging Using Atomic Vapour

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel THz imaging system using atomic vapour for ultra-high-speed, full-field imaging with high spatial resolution and sensitivity, enabling video capture at thousands of frames per second.

## Contribution

The authors demonstrate a new THz imaging approach based on atomic vapour that achieves unprecedented speed and sensitivity, surpassing previous limitations in the field.

## Key findings

- Video capture at 3000 frames per second.
- Effective 1 cm² sensor with near diffraction-limited resolution.
- Minimum detectable power of 190 ± 30 fW per pixel.

## Abstract

Terahertz (THz) technologies, generally defined as operating in the 0.1-10THz range, bridge the gap between electronic and photonic devices. Because THz radiation passes readily through materials such as plastics, paper and cloth it can be employed in non-destructive testing, and as it is non-ionising it is considered safe for security and biomedical applications. There is significant demand for high speed THz imaging across a range of applications but, despite ongoing efforts, fast full-field imaging remains an unfulfilled goal. Here we demonstrate a THz imaging system based upon efficient THz-to-optical conversion in atomic vapour, where full-field images can be collected at ultra-high speeds using conventional optical camera technology. For a 0.55 THz field we show an effective 1 cm $^{2}$ sensor with near diffraction-limited spatial resolution and a minimum detectable power of 190 $\pm$ 30 fW s$^{-1/2}$ per 40x40${\mu}$m pixel capable of video capture at 3000 frames per second. This combination of speed and sensitivity represents a step change in the state of the art of THz imaging, and will likely lead to its uptake in wider industrial settings. With further improvements we expect that even higher frame rates of up to 1 MHz would be possible.