Fast readout of innovative glow discharge detector focal plane arrays for affordable millimeter wave imaging: design, implementation, and advancements

Arun Ramachandra Kurup; Daniel Rozban; Yehuda Azulay; Natan S. Kopeika; Yitzhak Yitzhaky; Amir Abramovich

doi:10.1117/12.3031348

15 November 2024 Fast readout of innovative glow discharge detector focal plane arrays for affordable millimeter wave imaging: design, implementation, and advancements

Arun Ramachandra Kurup, Daniel Rozban, Yehuda Azulay, Natan S. Kopeika, Yitzhak Yitzhaky, Amir Abramovich

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 13204, Emerging Imaging and Sensing Technologies for Security and Defence IX; 1320407 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3031348
Event: Security + Defence, 2024, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Abstract

This study introduces an affordable approach to developing a millimeter-wave (MMW) focal plane array (FPA) using glow discharge detectors (GDDs) with rapid readout capabilities. The system investigates the effect of MMW incidence on GDD discharge current and employs a scanning mechanism with a step motor for sub-pixel imaging. The experimental setup features an 8x8 FPA with 64 GDD detectors, MMW source, optical components, and a data acquisition platform. Leveraging electrical detection and a signal processing algorithm, the system captures low-intensity MMW signals with each GDD value corresponding to a pixel in the image. The Fourier transform (FFT) is used to extract information from the modulated signals. The FPA demonstrated an improved imaging duration, reducing acquisition time by 75% compared to prior studies, with an 8x8 image captured in just 4 seconds. Responsivity was measured at 21.8 V/W, detecting signals as weak as 0.95 nW. These advancements offer significant benefits for time-sensitive applications like security and dynamic object tracking. The study proposes enhancing resolution through larger arrays and integrating image processing with AI techniques to further improve performance. This research provides a cost-effective solution for MMW imaging, addressing existing detector limitations.

Conference Presentation

(2024) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

Arun Ramachandra Kurup, Daniel Rozban, Yehuda Azulay, Natan S. Kopeika, Yitzhak Yitzhaky, and Amir Abramovich "Fast readout of innovative glow discharge detector focal plane arrays for affordable millimeter wave imaging: design, implementation, and advancements", Proc. SPIE 13204, Emerging Imaging and Sensing Technologies for Security and Defence IX, 1320407 (15 November 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3031348

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