Terahertz imaging system based on antenna-coupled microbolometers

In the paper a novel passive submillimeter imaging system is presented. The operation is based on antenna-coupled microbolometer technology operating at room temperature. The demonstration system uses single pixel detector placed in the focus of a 60 cm diameter aluminum parabolic reflector. The primary mirror is tilted about its axis to scan an image at the target plane. The design bandwidth of bolometer spiral antenna is nominally from 300 mu m (1 THz) upwards. The electrical noise equivalent power (NEP) is exceptionally low 1.5 . 10(-11) W/root Hz. Results presented in the paper indicate that the sensor technology is a possible solution in the future to produce large format imaging focal plane arrays for passive terahertz imaging.