Bolometric THz-to-IR converter for terahertz imaging

The quasi-optical bolometric converter of terahertz (THz) waves into infrared (IR) radiation is proposed and experimentally investigated. The converter includes an ultra-thin THz absorber (with a thickness 1/50 of the operating free-space wavelength) based on an artificial impedance surface with close to perfect resonant absorptivity at 0.3 THz and a high-performance IR emissive layer. Absorption of THz waves induces converter heating that yields enhancement of IR emission from the emissive layer. The experimental testing of the THz-to-IR converter demonstrates the applicability of a converter to THz imaging with spectral and polarization discrimination in real-time operation. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3607474]