Mems Terahertz Focal Plane Array With Optical Readout

Capt Hugo Gonzalez, USMC

The terahertz spectral range remains a relatively untapped portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Their unique ability to penetrate non-metallic materials presents an exciting opportunity for many imaging applications. The purpose of this research is to investigate a unique imaging method using a THz radiation source and metamaterial absorber. By using a metamaterial absorber the THz detection frequency of interest can be tuned by controlling geometrical parameters with nearly 100% absorption. THz sensing can be achieved by integrating a metamaterial absorber with bi-material legs to form a sensor. Moveable mirror-like surfaces on the backside of the metamaterial under THz absorption can cause a deflection of visible light and from it the original image can be reconstructed using an optical readout system. In this thesis, the construction of the optical readout system for characterization of sensor pixels as well as THz imaging is described.