Polarization effects on heterodyne detection and imaging using Glow Discharge Detector at millimeter wavelengths

Avihai Aharon Akram, Daniel Rozban, Niv Banay, A. Abramovich, N. S. Kopeika, Assaf Levanon

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

A miniature neon indicator lamp, also known as a Glow Discharge Detector (GDD), costing about 50 cents, was found to be an excellent room temperature THz radiation detector. Polarization effects on heterodyne detection were investigated in this work. In heterodyne detection, because of the dot product relationship between signal electric field (ES) and local oscillator (LO) electric field (Elo), optimal operation of heterodyne detection is obtained when ES and Elo are of the same polarization. Preliminary results at 300 GHz showed better sensitivity by a factor of 20 with only 56 microwatt local oscillator power using heterodyne compared to direct detection. Further improvement of the detection sensitivity can be achieved if the LO power (Plo) is increased. In this work investigation of polarization effects in heterodyne detection using neon indicator lamp GDD was carried-out. Experimental results of heterodyne detection at 300 GHz showed that an intermediate frequency (IF) signal was obtained for orthogonal polarization of the LO and signal, in contradiction to the theory. Also, our latest imaging results using Glow Discharge Detector at millimeter wavelengths will be shown in this work.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPassive and Active Millimeter-Wave Imaging XVII
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Print)9781628410150
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014
EventPassive and Active Millimeter-Wave Imaging XVII - Baltimore, MD, United States
Duration: 8 May 20149 May 2014

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume9078
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferencePassive and Active Millimeter-Wave Imaging XVII
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBaltimore, MD
Period8/05/149/05/14

Keywords

  • Heterodyne
  • Plasma
  • Polarization
  • THz
  • THz detector

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