TL;DR: Tray computed tomography (T-ray CT) is an important new tomographic imaging modality utilizing ultrafast laser sources to probe the optical properties of 3D structures in the far-infrared as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: T-ray computed tomography (T-ray CT) is an important new tomographic imaging modality utilizing ultrafast laser sources to probe the optical properties of 3 dimensional (3D) structures in the far-infrared [1] It promises to have important applications in non-destructive mail and packaging inspection, semiconductor testing and manufacturing quality control It provides sectional images of objects in an analogous manner to conventional computed tomography techniques such as X-ray CT
TL;DR: The uniqueness and limitations of T-ray imaging are discussed, the major challenges impeding T-rays imaging are identified, and solutions and opportunities are proposed.
Abstract: Terahertz (THz) science will profoundly impact biotechnology It has tremendous potential for applications in imaging, medical diagnosis, health monitoring, environmental control and chemical and biological identification THz research will become one of the most promising research areas in the 21st century for transformational advances in imaging, as well as in other interdisciplinary fields However, terahertz wave (T-ray) imaging is still in its infancy This paper discusses the uniqueness and limitations of T-ray imaging, identifies the major challenges impeding T-ray imaging and proposes solutions and opportunities in this field It also concentrates on the generation, propagation and detection of T-rays by the use of femtosecond optics
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors demonstrate the application of terahertz (THz) time-of-flight tomographic imaging to identify the distribution of defects in foam materials.
Abstract: We demonstrate the application of terahertz (THz) time-of-flight tomographic imaging to identify the distribution of defects in foam materials. Based on THz time-domain spectroscopy technology, THz imaging probes targets with picosecond pulses of broad-band radiation in the frequency range from 100 GHz to 3 THz. The reflected THz wave from the target is measured using electrooptic sampling, which provides two-dimensional images with phase and amplitude information, as well as the spectroscopic properties of the object. The depth information is recorded in the THz time-domain waveform. Several reconstruction models are developed for tomographic imaging of defects inside foam. Foam insulation of space shuttle fuel tanks, with prebuilt defects, are investigated with THz tomographic imaging. Most prebuilt defects are pinpointed and models used to identify different kinds of defects are discussed.
138 citations
Cites background from "T-ray diffraction tomography"
...Other THz tomographic imaging modalities, such as THz diffraction tomography [8] and THz tomography by Fresnel lens [9], and THz multistatic imaging [10], [11] all benefit from the available techniques of neighboring bands or even other fields, while opening a whole new area of capabilities for THz technology....
TL;DR: The terahertz (THz) gap as mentioned in this paper is a relatively unexplored frequency band in the electromagnetic spectrum that exhibits a unique combination of properties from its neighbors, which makes sensing in the THz band uniquely suited for many NDE applications.
Abstract: Lying between the microwave and far infrared (IR) regions, the “terahertz gap” is a relatively unexplored frequency band in the electromagnetic spectrum that exhibits a unique combination of properties from its neighbors. Like in IR, many materials have characteristic absorption spectra in the terahertz (THz) band, facilitating the spectroscopic “fingerprinting” of compounds such as drugs and explosives. In addition, non-polar dielectric materials such as clothing, paper, and plastic are transparent to THz, just as they are to microwaves and millimeter waves. These factors, combined with sub-millimeter wavelengths and non-ionizing energy levels, makes sensing in the THz band uniquely suited for many NDE applications. In a typical nondestructive test, the objective is to detect a feature of interest within the object and provide an accurate estimate of some geometrical property of the feature. Notable examples include the thickness of a pharmaceutical tablet coating layer or the 3D location, size, and shape of a flaw or defect in an integrated circuit. While the material properties of the object under test are often tightly controlled and are generally known a priori, many objects of interest exhibit irregular surface topographies such as varying degrees of curvature over the extent of their surfaces. Common THz pulsed imaging (TPI) methods originally developed for objects with planar surfaces have been adapted for objects with curved surfaces through use of mechanical scanning procedures in which measurements are taken at normal incidence over the extent of the surface [1]. While effective, these methods often require expensive robotic arm assemblies, the cost and complexity of which would likely be prohibitive should a large volume of tests be needed to be carried out on a production line.
3 citations
Cites background from "T-ray diffraction tomography"
...Diffraction tomography (DT) – a more generalized version of CT applicable to objects with features closer in scale to THz wavelengths – was soon demonstrated by the same group [68] along with THz tomography using both Fresnel zone plate lenses and CCD cameras in a digital holography configuration [69, 70]....
TL;DR: In this article, the authors demonstrate time reversal 3D imaging using single-cycle terahertz pulses, where the photoconductive transmitter and receiver are arranged in a reflection imaging configuration.
Abstract: We demonstrate time reversal 3-D imaging using single-cycle terahertz pulses. The photoconductive transmitter and receiver are arranged in a reflection imaging configuration. The synthesized ring annular detection array can distinguish spatially separated image planes.
TL;DR: An arsenide-free disposable terahertz (THz) emitter comprising a silicon film on a sapphire substrate was developed for practical measurements using skin samples in this paper.
Abstract: Analyzing the penetration of cosmetic/medical lotions and creams into the skin is important for evaluating their effectiveness. Hence, the penetration speed of liquids into chicken and pig skins was evaluated using a terahertz (THz) time-of-flight method. An arsenide-free disposable THz emitter comprising a silicon film on a sapphire substrate was developed for practical measurements using skin samples. The skin sample was mounted on the THz emitter surface directly so that the generated THz pulses in the silicon film were easily focused on the skin sample. To evaluate the time evolution of the penetration depth, the arrival times of the reflected THz pulses at the edge of the liquid-penetrated region on the skin were observed. As a preliminary experiment, measurements using a stack of conventional glass slides were conducted. In addition, the penetration speed into the chicken and pig skin was compared to prove the practical applicability of our method.
TL;DR: The fundamentals of computerized tomography computer ebook, image reconstruction from projections, and the fundamentals ofComputerized Tomography computer epub are revealed.
2,025 citations
"T-ray diffraction tomography" refers methods in this paper
...The filtered back-projection algorithm is then used to invert the Radon transform [2] and reconstruct the 3D target....
TL;DR: The reconstruction algorithm is derived for parallel beam transmission computed tomography through two-dimensional structures in which diffraction of the insonifying beam must be taken into account and is applicable to diffraction tomography within either the first Born or Rytov approximations.
TL;DR: In this article, a novel electro-optic sampling system for real-time terahertz (THz) imaging applications was proposed, which achieved time-resolved images of pulsed far-infrared radiation emitted from an unbiased GaAs wafer.
Abstract: We report on a novel electro‐optic sampling system for real‐time terahertz (THz) imaging applications. By illuminating a 6×8 mm2 ZnTe crystal with a 300 μW optical sampling beam and detecting the beam with a digital CCD camera, we achieved time‐resolved images of pulsed far‐infrared radiation emitted from an unbiased GaAs wafer. At the focal point of the peak far‐infrared field, the THz beam diameter is approximately 0.75 mm (full width at half‐maximum). The temporal and spatial resolutions of this imaging system are mainly limited by the laser pulse duration and the diffraction limit of the THz beam, respectively.
TL;DR: The reconstruction of one- and two-dimensional objects is demonstrated by numerically backpropagating measured scattered terahertz transients by determining the spatial resolution determined by the Sparrow criterion.
Abstract: We demonstrate the reconstruction of one- and two-dimensional objects by numerically backpropagating measured scattered terahertz transients. The spatial resolution determined by the Sparrow criterion is found to correspond to approximately 30% of the peak wavelength and 85% of the mean wavelength of the power spectrum of the single-cycle waveform.