Mohammed Salhi

Bio: Mohammed Salhi is an academic researcher from Braunschweig University of Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Terahertz radiation & Laser. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 17 publications receiving 429 citations.

Terahertz imaging: applications and perspectives

Abstract: Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy, and especially THz imaging, holds large potential in the field of nondestructive, contact-free testing. The ongoing advances in the development of THz systems, as well as the appearance of the first related commercial products, indicate that large-scale market introduction of THz systems is rapidly approaching. We review selected industrial applications for THz systems, comprising inline monitoring of compounding processes, plastic weld joint inspection, birefringence analysis of fiber-reinforced components, water distribution monitoring in polymers and plants, as well as quality inspection of food products employing both continuous wave and pulsed THz systems.

Confocal THz Laser Microscope

Abstract: We transfer the principle of the optical confocal microscope to a far-field THz imaging system based on an optically pumped gas laser emitting radiation at 2.52 THz. This results in a contrast enhancement. To illustrate the image quality improvement, we show THz images of different objects taken with the suggested scheme and compare them to images taken with other systems.

Confocal THz Laser Microscope

Abstract: We transfer the principle of the optical confocal microscope to a far-field THz imaging system based on an optically pumped gas laser emitting radiation at 2.52 THz. This results in a contrast enhancement. To illustrate the image quality improvement, we show THz images of different objects taken with the suggested scheme and compare them to images taken with other systems.

Detection of THz radiation with semiconductor diode lasers

Abstract: As a consequence of the strong many-body interactions in the electron-hole plasma, a semiconductor laser efficiently interacts with terahertz radiation. The injection of terahertz laser radiation into the active region of a diode laser induces a measurable variation of the voltage over the p-n junction, indicating the potential of a semiconductor laser to act as a terahertz detector.

Semi-confocal imaging with a THz gas laser

Abstract: We demonstrate a semi-confocal THz imaging system based on a THz gas laser operating at 2.52 THz (118 μm) with power up to tens of milliwatts. Our ultimate goal is the development of a fully confocal THz microscope. We discuss the stability of the system and present THz images obtained on different objects to illustrate the potential of the system.

Terahertz spectroscopy and imaging – Modern techniques and applications

Abstract: Over the past three decades a new spectroscopic technique with unique possibilities has emerged. Based on coherent and time-resolved detection of the electric field of ultrashort radiation bursts in the far-infrared, this technique has become known as terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS). In this review article the authors describe the technique in its various implementations for static and time-resolved spectroscopy, and illustrate the performance of the technique with recent examples from solid-state physics and physical chemistry as well as aqueous chemistry. Examples from other fields of research, where THz spectroscopic techniques have proven to be useful research tools, and the potential for industrial applications of THz spectroscopic and imaging techniques are discussed.

Terahertz imaging: applications and perspectives

Abstract: Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy, and especially THz imaging, holds large potential in the field of nondestructive, contact-free testing. The ongoing advances in the development of THz systems, as well as the appearance of the first related commercial products, indicate that large-scale market introduction of THz systems is rapidly approaching. We review selected industrial applications for THz systems, comprising inline monitoring of compounding processes, plastic weld joint inspection, birefringence analysis of fiber-reinforced components, water distribution monitoring in polymers and plants, as well as quality inspection of food products employing both continuous wave and pulsed THz systems.

Noninvasive, near-field terahertz imaging of hidden objects using a single-pixel detector.

Abstract: Terahertz (THz) imaging can see through otherwise opaque materials. However, because of the long wavelengths of THz radiation (λ = 400 μm at 0.75 THz), far-field THz imaging techniques suffer from low resolution compared to visible wavelengths. We demonstrate noninvasive, near-field THz imaging with subwavelength resolution. We project a time-varying, intense (>100 μJ/cm2) optical pattern onto a silicon wafer, which spatially modulates the transmission of synchronous pulse of THz radiation. An unknown object is placed on the hidden side of the silicon, and the far-field THz transmission corresponding to each mask is recorded by a single-element detector. Knowledge of the patterns and of the corresponding detector signal are combined to give an image of the object. Using this technique, we image a printed circuit board on the underside of a 115-μm-thick silicon wafer with ~100-μm (λ/4) resolution. With subwavelength resolution and the inherent sensitivity to local conductivity, it is possible to detect fissures in the circuitry wiring of a few micrometers in size. THz imaging systems of this type will have other uses too, where noninvasive measurement or imaging of concealed structures is necessary, such as in semiconductor manufacturing or in ex vivo bioimaging.

Toward real-time terahertz imaging

Abstract: Terahertz (THz) science and technology have greatly progressed over the past two decades to a point where the THz region of the electromagnetic spectrum is now a mature research area with many fundamental and practical applications. Furthermore, THz imaging is positioned to play a key role in many industrial applications, as THz technology is steadily shifting from university-grade instrumentation to commercial systems. In this context, the objective of this review is to discuss recent advances in THz imaging with an emphasis on the modalities that could enable real-time high-resolution imaging. To this end, we first discuss several key imaging modalities developed over the years: THz transmission, reflection, and conductivity imaging; THz pulsed imaging; THz computed tomography; and THz near-field imaging. Then, we discuss several enabling technologies for real-time THz imaging within the time-domain spectroscopy paradigm: fast optical delay lines, photoconductive antenna arrays, and electro-optic sampling with cameras. Next, we discuss the advances in THz cameras, particularly THz thermal cameras and THz field-effect transistor cameras. Finally, we overview the most recent techniques that enable fast THz imaging with single-pixel detectors: mechanical beam-steering, compressive sensing, spectral encoding, and fast Fourier optics. We believe that this critical and comprehensive review of enabling hardware, instrumentation, algorithms, and potential applications in real-time high-resolution THz imaging can serve a diverse community of fundamental and applied scientists.