Robust, Sensitive, and Inexpensive 2D Focal Plane Array Upconverting MMW Imaging into the Visible

A new concept of millimeter-wave (MMW) imaging system is demonstrated in this letter. The new concept is based on glow discharge detector (GDD) focal plane array (FPA) and a basic CMOS camera. The GDD elements emit optical light as a function of the incident MMW radiation intensity. By synchronizing the modulation of the MMW source with the exposure time of the CMOS camera in a way that every two consecutive frames were captured with the influence of the MMW radiation and without it, we were able to observe the effect of the MMW radiation alone on the GDD FPA without the light deriving from the GDD DC bias.