Passive 670 GHz imaging with uncooled low-noise HEMT amplifiers coupled to zero-bias diodes

Published

June 9, 2014

Author(s)

Erich N. Grossman, K Leong, X. B. Mei, W. R. Deal

Abstract

We discuss the application of recently developed 670 GHz low-noise amplifiers based on InP HEMTs to passive indoor imaging. Packaged LNAs were integrated with commercial zero-bias diodes, and accurate measurements of system noise-equivalent temperature difference (NETD) made, using blackbody sources. The NETD values are compared with independent prior measurements (Deal et al. 2011) of LNA gain, noise figure, and bandwidth, and with cryogenic bolometer measurements made in the same test conditions. Currently, the LNA gain is not sufficient to render the ZBD noise negligible; measurements are presented that separate the two components. Low-frequency noise measurements are also presented that display the effects of 1/f noise in the ZBD and gain variations in the LNA. The implications of the low-frequency noise are discussed in terms of scanning or beam-steering strategies for an imager based on the LNAs. Raster-scanned, single-pixel images of indoor scenes are presented. They are quantitatively interpreted in terms of NETD, and angular resolution and coupling efficiency of the optics.

Volume

9078

Conference Dates

April 4-9, 2015

Conference Location

Baltimore, MD

Conference Title

(SPIE) Defense and Aerospace Symposium

Pub Type

Conferences

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2050738

Local Download

Keywords

Submillimeter, Terahertz, Pre-amplifier, Direct detection, Imaging, HEMT, InP, Zero-bias Diode, I/f- Noise

Citation

Grossman, E. , Leong, K. , , X. and , W. (2014), Passive 670 GHz imaging with uncooled low-noise HEMT amplifiers coupled to zero-bias diodes, (SPIE) Defense and Aerospace Symposium, Baltimore, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2050738, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=916029 (Accessed October 15, 2025)