Active wideband 350GHz imaging system for concealed-weapon detection

David M. Sheen; Thomas E. Hall; Ronald H. Severtsen; Douglas L. McMakin; Brian K. Hatchell; Patrick L. J. Valdez

doi:10.1117/12.817927

29 April 2009 Active wideband 350GHz imaging system for concealed-weapon detection

David M. Sheen, Thomas E. Hall, Ronald H. Severtsen, Douglas L. McMakin, Brian K. Hatchell, Patrick L. J. Valdez

Proceedings Volume 7309, Passive Millimeter-Wave Imaging Technology XII; 73090I (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.817927
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2009, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

A prototype active wideband 350 GHz imaging system has been developed to address the urgent need for standoff concealed-weapon detection. This system is based on a wideband, heterodyne, frequency-multiplier-based transceiver system coupled to a quasi-optical focusing system and high-speed conical scanner. This system is able to quickly scan personnel for concealed weapons. Additionally, due to the wideband operation, this system provides accurate ranging information, and the images obtained are fully three-dimensional. Waves in the microwave, millimeter-wave, and terahertz (3 GHz to 1 THz) frequency bands are able to penetrate many optical obscurants, and can be used to form the basis of high-resolution imaging systems. Waves in the sub-millimeter-wave band (300 GHz to 1 THz) are particularly interesting for standoff concealed-weapon detection at ranges of 5 - 20+ meters, due to their unique combination of high resolution and clothing penetration. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has previously developed portal screening systems that operate at the lower end of the millimeter-wave frequency range around 30 GHz. These systems are well suited for screening within portals; however, increasing the range of these systems would dramatically reduce the resolution due to diffraction at their relatively long wavelength. In this paper, the standoff 350 GHz imaging system is described in detail and numerous imaging results are presented.

Citation Download Citation

David M. Sheen, Thomas E. Hall, Ronald H. Severtsen, Douglas L. McMakin, Brian K. Hatchell, and Patrick L. J. Valdez "Active wideband 350GHz imaging system for concealed-weapon detection", Proc. SPIE 7309, Passive Millimeter-Wave Imaging Technology XII, 73090I (29 April 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.817927

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