Beam scanning imaging method and apparatus

Radiant energy – Invisible radiant energy responsive electric signalling – Infrared responsive

Reexamination Certificate

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Reexamination Certificate

active

07897924

ABSTRACT:
An imaging apparatus uses focusing and collecting optics in combination with steering optics for efficient imaging of a target using an extended terahertz electro-magnetic range challenged by weak sources and low sensitivity of detection. By proper location of optics to utilize angular conversion of the beam to a lateral scan, a rastering imaging apparatus is demonstrated without moving target or entire imaging system. In at least one embodiment a mirror-lens set is used to steer the terahertz (THz) beam along and (or) to collect the THz beam from each point of the target. The target is imaged with a much higher speed than when moving the target or the entire imaging system. A THz wave image can be taken at video frequency for practical usage of the apparatus in diverse application areas, where it has not been considered to be feasible.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4733609 (1988-03-01), Goodwin et al.
patent: 5048904 (1991-09-01), Montagu
patent: 5168386 (1992-12-01), Galbraith
patent: 5237444 (1993-08-01), Schermer
patent: 5623145 (1997-04-01), Nuss
patent: 5710430 (1998-01-01), Nuss
patent: 6242740 (2001-06-01), Luukanen et al.
patent: 6815683 (2004-11-01), Federici et al.
patent: 6909094 (2005-06-01), Tran et al.
patent: 6909095 (2005-06-01), Tran et al.
patent: 6943742 (2005-09-01), Holly
patent: 7274451 (2007-09-01), Bustamante et al.
patent: 7449695 (2008-11-01), Zimdars et al.
patent: 7633036 (2009-12-01), Gross
patent: 7633663 (2009-12-01), Hirakawa
patent: 7643869 (2010-01-01), Dabiri et al.
patent: 2003/0066968 (2003-04-01), Ziolo
patent: 2003/0149346 (2003-08-01), Arnone et al.
patent: 2005/0161444 (2005-07-01), Kitai et al.
patent: 2005/0230625 (2005-10-01), Zhang et al.
patent: 2006/0049356 (2006-03-01), Shen et al.
patent: 2006/0176912 (2006-08-01), Anikitchev
patent: 2007/0235658 (2007-10-01), Zimdars et al.
patent: 2007/0242274 (2007-10-01), Cluff
patent: WO 02/057750 (2002-07-01), None
Karpowicz et al, “Non-Destructive Sub-THz CW Imaging,” 2005, Proceedings of SPIE, vol. 5727, pp. 132-142.
Dickinson et al., “Terahertz imaging of subjects with concealed weapons,” 2006, Proceedings of SPIE, vol. 6212, 62120Q.
Liu et al., “Rapid scanning all-reflective optical delay line for rea-time optical coherence tomography,” 2004, Optics Letters, vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 80-82.
Verghese et al., “Generation and detection of coherent terahertz waves using two photomixers,” 1998, Applied Physics Letters, vol. 73, No. 26, pp. 3824-3826.
A. W. Lee et al, “Real-Time, Continuous—Wave Terahertz Imaging by Use of a Microbolometer Focal-plane Array”, Optics Letters, Vo. 30, No. 19, Oct. 1, 2005 pp. 2563-2565.
J. Xu et al, “Terahertz Wave Reciprocal Imaging”, Applied Physics Letters 88, Apr. 2006, pp. 151107-1-1151107-3.
Q.Wu et al, “Twp-Dimensional Electro-Optic Imaging of THz Beams”, Applied Physics Letters 69, Aug. 19, 1996, pp. 1026-1028.
S. Thibault et al.; “Telecentric scanner for 3D profilometry of very large objects”, Proceedings of SPIE vol. 3100, p. 206 (1997).
T. Goyette et al., “1.56 Terahertz 2-frames per second standoff imaging,” SPIE OPTO SPIE Photonics West, Jan. 2008 vol. 6893.
N. Karpowicz et al., “Comparison between pulsed terahertz time-domain imaging and continuous wave terahertz imaging,” Semiconductor Science and Technology, 20, S293-S299, (2005).
N. Karpowicz et al. , “Continuous-wave terahertz imaging for non-destructive testing applications,” IEEE THz Technology, Ultrafast Measurements and Imaging paper TC5-20, p. 329 IEEE 2005.
Löffler et al. , “Continuous-wave terahertz imaging with a hybrid system,” Applied Physics Letters vol. 90, paper 091111 2007.
European Search Report Apr. 14, 2010 on EP08006455.3 / 1980817 (EP related case to current application-U.S. Appl. No. 12/055,063.

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for the USA inventors and patents. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Beam scanning imaging method and apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Beam scanning imaging method and apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Beam scanning imaging method and apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2635208

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.