Rapid Sensing of Hidden Objects and Defects using a Single-Pixel Diffractive Terahertz Processor

Terahertz waves offer numerous advantages for the nondestructive detection of hidden objects/defects in materials, as they can penetrate through most optically-opaque materials. However, existing terahertz inspection systems are restricted in their throughput and accuracy (especially for detecting small features) due to their limited speed and resolution. Furthermore, machine vision-based continuous sensing systems that use large-pixel-count imaging are generally bottlenecked due to their digital storage, data transmission and image processing requirements. Here, we report a diffractive processor that rapidly detects hidden defects/objects within a target sample using a single-pixel spectroscopic terahertz detector, without scanning the sample or forming/processing its image. This terahertz processor consists of passive diffractive layers that are optimized using deep learning to modify the spectrum of the terahertz radiation according to the absence/presence of hidden structures or defects. After its fabrication, the resulting diffractive processor all-optically probes the structural information of the sample volume and outputs a spectrum that directly indicates the presence or absence of hidden structures, not visible from outside. As a proof-of-concept, we trained a diffractive terahertz processor to sense hidden defects (including subwavelength features) inside test samples, and evaluated its performance by analyzing the detection sensitivity as a function of the size and position of the unknown defects. We validated its feasibility using a single-pixel terahertz time-domain spectroscopy setup and 3D-printed diffractive layers, successfully detecting hidden defects using pulsed terahertz illumination. This technique will be valuable for various applications, e.g., security screening, biomedical sensing, quality control, anti-counterfeiting measures and cultural heritage protection.Comment: 23 Pages, 5 Figure

Development and Study of a Non-Destructive Testing System with Terahertz Radiation

Continuous wave terahertz imaging is a variant of terahertz imaging that has been made possible with recent advances in technology and has provided interesting results as an inspection method. This variant is more accessible than its counterparts, as such, there is high interest in studying it. This dissertation aims at providing the foundations for the development and use of this technology for Non-Destructive Testing. The system was assembled and tested for different applications. The fundamental phenomena were studied through experimentation and numerical simulations. A mathematical model was developed to predict the effects of Fabry-Perot interference, a phenomenon that would otherwise be considered undesirable. The comprehension of this effect allows for this method to be used as measuring tool. The system was compared with other non-contact inspection techniques, where it was found to excel at imaging water infiltrations and some composite materials

Materials Analysis Using a THz Imaging System Based on Atomic Vapour

This thesis studies the response of the interaction between Rydberg atomic vapour and a THz frequency field. When Caesium atoms at room temperature are excited to a Rydberg state using three infrared lasers and a 0.55 THz field resonant with the 14P3/2 → 13D5/2 transition is applied, the atoms respond by emitting a green optical fluorescence corresponding to the 13D5/2 → 6P3/2 decay. This response is exploited to investigate the absorption coefficient for different polymer materials that transmit well in the THz frequency range using the Beer–Lambert law. We calibrate the system to obtain a measure of THz intensity. As the THz imaging system is highly sensitive to environmental changes, and to show that our results are consistent, we provide a comparison of results between our atomic detection method and a commercial thermal power meter. Additionally, we measure the absorption coefficient of the same materials at a frequency of 1.1 THz, and the results are compared with those measured at 0.55 THz. The THz imaging system is also used to perform some experiments in order to demonstrate its effectiveness in real-world applications. The system provides an interesting image contrast in the case of a sample containing two different polymer materials measured at two THz frequencies. The result is a proof-of-concept that multispectral THz imaging can provide additional information and is motivation to improve our THz imaging system by introducing a dual-species THz imager. We also investigate the polarisation spectroscopy of an excited-state transition of rubidium vapour at room temperature as a step towards a rubidium THz imaging system. The narrow dispersive signal produced by this spectroscopy technique is ideal for laser frequency stabilisation of excited-state transitions

Terahertz PHASR Scanner with 2 kHz, 100 picosecond Time-Domain Trace Acquisition Rate and an Extended Field-of-View Based on a Heliostat Design

Recently, we introduced a Portable HAndheld Spectral Reflection (PHASR) Scanner to allow THz Time-Domain Spectroscopic (THz-TDS) imaging in clinical and industrial settings using a fiber-coupled and alignment-free telecentric beam steering design. The key limitations of the version 1.0 of the PHASR Scanner were its field-of-view and speed of time-domain trace acquisition. In this paper, we address these limitations by introducing a heliostat geometry for beam scanning to achieve an extended field-of-view, and by reconfiguring the ASynchronous OPtical Sampling (ASOPS) system to perform Electronically Controlled OPtical Sampling (ECOPS) measurements. The former change improved the deflection range of the beam, while also drastically reducing the coupling of the two scanning axes, the combination of which resulted in a larger than four-fold increase in the FOV area. The latter change significantly improves the acquisition speed and frequency domain performance simultaneously by improving measurement efficiency. To accomplish this, we characterized the non-linear time-axis sampling behavior of the electro-mechanical system in the ECOPS mode. We proposed methods to model and correct the non-linear time-axis distortions and tested the performance of the high-speed ECOPS trace acquisition. Therefore, here we introduce the PHASR Scanner version 2.0, which is capable of imaging a 40$\times$27 mm$^2$ FOV with 2000 traces per second over a 100 picosecond TDS range. This new scanner represents a significant leap towards translating the THz-TDS technology from the lab bench to the bedside for real-time clinical imaging applications.Comment: 15 pages; submitted to IEEE Transactions on Terahertz Science and Technolog

Comparative study of infrared thermography, ultrasonic C-scan, X-ray computed tomography and terahertz imaging on composite materials

L’évaluation non destructive (NDT) des matériaux composites est compliquée en raison de la vaste gamme de défauts rencontrés (y compris délaminage, microfissuration, fracture de la fibre, retrait des fibres, fissuration matricielle, inclusions, vides et dommages aux chocs). La capacité de caractériser quantitativement le type, la géométrie et l’orientation des défauts est essentielle. La thermographie infrarouge (IRT), en tant que technique de diagnostic d’image, peut satisfaire le besoin industriel croissant de NDT&E. Dans la thèse, la thermographie par excitation optique et mécanique a été utilisée pour étudier différents matériaux composites, dont 1) des préformes sèches en fibres de carbone, 2) des composites de fibres naturelles, 3) des composites hybrides de basalte-fibres de carbone soumis à une charge d’impact (séquence de type sandwich et séquence d’empilement intercalé), 4) des défauts micro-dimensionnés dans un composite polymère renforcé de fibre de carbone (CFRP) en 3D avec une couture de type « joint en T », et 5) des peintures sur toile qui peuvent être considérées comme des matériaux composites. Une nouvelle technique IRT de thermographie de ligne par micro-laser (micro-LLT) a été proposée pour l’évaluation des porosités submillimétriques dans le CFRP. La microscopie de points par micro-laser (micro-LST) et la micro-vibrothermographie (micro-VT) ont également été présentées avec l’utilisation de microlentilles. La thermographie pulsée (PT) et la thermographie modulée « à verrouillage » (LT) ont été comparées à la tomographie par rayons X (TC) pour validation. Le C-scan ultrasonore (UT) et l’imagerie par ondes tera-hertziennes en onde continue (CW THz) ont également été réalisés à des fins comparatives. L’inspection par techniques thermographiques est une question ouverte à discuter pour le public scientifique. En fait, la thermographie par impulsions (PPT) basée sur la transformation de phase a été utilisée pour estimer la profondeur des dommages. Pour traiter les données thermographiques, on a également utilisé la reconstruction de signal thermographique de base (B-TSR), la thermographie des composants principaux (PCT) et la thermographie des moindres carrés partiels (PLST). Enfin, une analyse complète et comparative basée sur le diagnostic d’images thermographiques a été menée en vue d’applications industrielles potentielles.Non-destructive testing (NDT) of composite materials is complicated due to the wide range off laws encountered (including delamination, micro-cracking, fiber fracture, fiber pullout, matrix cracking, inclusions, voids, and impact damage). The ability to quantitatively characterize the type, geometry, and orientation of flaws is essential. Infrared thermography (IRT), as an image diagnostic technique, can satisfy the increasing industrial need for NDT&E. In the thesis, optical and mechanical excitation thermography were used to investigate different composite materials, including 1) carbon fiber dry preforms, 2) natural fiber composites, 3) basalt-carbon fiber hybrid composites subjected to impact loading (sandwich-like and intercalated stacking sequence), 4) micro-sized flaws in a stitched T-joint 3D carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite (CFRP), and 5) paintings on canvas which can be considered as composite materials. Of particular interest, a new IRT technique micro-laser line thermography (micro-LLT) was proposed for the evaluation of submillimeter porosities in CFRP. Micro-laser spot thermography (micro-LST) and micro-vibrothermography (micro-VT) were also presented with the usage of a micro-lens. Pulsed thermography (PT) and lock-in thermography (LT) were compared with x-ray computed tomography (CT) for validation. Ultrasonic C-scan (UT) and continuous wave terahertz imaging (CW THz) were also conducted for the comparative purpose. The inspection by thermographic techniques is an open matter to be discussed for the scientific audience. In fact, pulse phase thermography (PPT) based on phase transform was used to estimate the damage depth. Basic thermographic signal reconstruction (B-TSR), principal component thermography (PCT) and partial least squares thermography (PLST) (another more recent advanced image processing technique) were also used to pro-cess the thermographic data. Finally, a comprehensive and comparative analysis based on thermographic image diagnostics was conducted in view of potential industrial applications

Learned Anomaly Detection with Terahertz Radiation in Inline Process Monitoring

Terahertz tomographic imaging as well as machine learning tasks represent two emerging felds in the area of nondestructive testing. Detecting outliers in measurements that are caused by defects is the main challenge in inline process monitoring. An efcient inline control enables to intervene directly during the manufacturing process and, consequently, to reduce product discard. We focus on plastics and ceramics, for which terahertz radiation is perfectly suited because of its characteristics, and propose a density based technique to automatically detect anomalies in the measured radiation data. The algorithm relies on a classifcation method based on machine learning. For a verifcation, supervised data are generated by a measuring system that approximates an inline process. The experimental results show that the use of terahertz radiation, combined with the classifcation algorithm, has great potential for a real inline manufacturing process. In a further investigation additional data are simulated to enlarge the data set, especially the variety of defects. We model the propagation of terahertz radiation by means of the Eikonal equation

Plasmonic photoconductive terahertz focal-plane array with pixel super-resolution

Imaging systems operating in the terahertz part of the electromagnetic spectrum are in great demand because of the distinct characteristics of terahertz waves in penetrating many optically-opaque materials and providing unique spectral signatures of various chemicals. However, the use of terahertz imagers in real-world applications has been limited by the slow speed, large size, high cost, and complexity of the existing imaging systems. These limitations are mainly imposed due to the lack of terahertz focal-plane arrays (THz-FPAs) that can directly provide the frequency-resolved and/or time-resolved spatial information of the imaged objects. Here, we report the first THz-FPA that can directly provide the spatial amplitude and phase distributions, along with the ultrafast temporal and spectral information of an imaged object. It consists of a two-dimensional array of ~0.3 million plasmonic photoconductive nanoantennas optimized to rapidly detect broadband terahertz radiation with a high signal-to-noise ratio. As the first proof-of-concept, we utilized the multispectral nature of the amplitude and phase data captured by these plasmonic nanoantennas to realize pixel super-resolution imaging of objects. We successfully imaged and super-resolved etched patterns in a silicon substrate and reconstructed both the shape and depth of these structures with an effective number of pixels that exceeds 1-kilo pixels. By eliminating the need for raster scanning and spatial terahertz modulation, our THz-FPA offers more than a 1000-fold increase in the imaging speed compared to the state-of-the-art. Beyond this proof-of-concept super-resolution demonstration, the unique capabilities enabled by our plasmonic photoconductive THz-FPA offer transformative advances in a broad range of applications that use hyperspectral and three-dimensional terahertz images of objects for a wide range of applications.Comment: 62 page