European Space Agency

The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europes gateway to space. ESA is an intergovernmental organization with 22 Member States.

ESTEC, Keplerlaan 1, 2201 AZ Noordwijk, Holland

Sub-millimetre wavelength camera

managed by European Space Agency

TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a sub-millimeter wavelength imaging device and particularly but not exclusively to an ambient temperature camera using either single or multiple heterodyne detectors. The terahertz electromagnetic spectrum extends over a range of frequencies where radio waves and optical waves merge and consequently the detection of terahertz radiation utilizes a mixture of optical and radio wave technology.

BENEFITS

The camera operates at ambient temperatures in sub-millimeter and/or millimeter wavelength range, and is convenient due to its compact size, potential for portability and ability to perform at room temperature. The low power requirements of the camera are particularly suitable for imaging earth's surface from space as weather conditions such as fog are transparent to terahertz waves. This radiation does have some uniquely attractive qualities: for example, it can yield extremely high resolution images and move vast amounts of data quickly.

LIMITATIONS

It is necessary to develop accurate and robust computational models for analyzing device design and operation at terahertz frequencies. Such models will be key to future advances in the field, and understanding of material properties at terahertz frequencies, as well as general terahertz phenomenology.

APPLICATIONS

For detection of low power passive millimeter and/or sub-millimeter electromagnetic radiation in airborne and land vehicles, security systems (as clothing concealing weapons becomes transparent at terahertz frequencies), chemical and food industries, and medical diagnostics. The specific commercial applications of the invention are related with the aviation and in navigation, in general, in extreme weather conditions.
The transparency of many materials to terahertz frequencies has also been identified as a useful tool for security purposes.
Potentially powerful diagnostic tool for example in the early detection of skin cancers.
At least six different optical principles have been used to actively obtain range images: radar, triangulation, moir, holographic interferometry, focusing and diffraction for medical imaging, security, spectroscopy, aircraft to satellite.
Many possible uses of terahertz sensing and imaging are proposed in manufacturing, quality control, and process monitoring.

MATERIALS

Readiness Level (TRL)

9
actual system proven in operational environment(The pie chart refers to the entire portfolio contained in the database of the helpdesk)

Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) are a method of estimating technology maturity of Critical Technology Elements (CTE) of a program during the acquisition process. The use of TRLs enables consistent, uniform, discussions of technical maturity across different types of technology.

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STATUS

Current status

Granted in China, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, japan, South Korea, Spain, United Kingdom, USA

AVAILABILITY

Available for

Licensing

INVENTOR / TEAM

Peter De Maagt, Dario Calogero Castiglione, Luisa Deias, Inigo Edarra-Urzainqui, David Brian Haskett, Derek Jenkins, Alexander Vincent Bernard Laisne, Alec John McCalden, James Peter O'...

GENERAL ENQUIRIES
LICENSING REQUEST

Case manager: Veronica La Regina

EU-Japan Centre
European CommissionMeti