A
system and method for THz imaging utilizing a single THz
detector that detects an image of a large area and provides good spatial details (
high resolution). In one aspect, the THz beam passes through an object to be imaged, and a THz
fiber bundle having a plurality of THz fibers collect the THz beam on the other side of the object and transmit the beams to a single THz
detector. Each THz
fiber imparts a different time
delay to the beam traveling therein. Therefore, the spatial information is converted into
time information in the form of
time delays. Knowing the distance each part of the imaging area must travel (hence the time it takes) before reaching the THz
detector, one can recover the spatial information from the
time data. In another aspect, the THz
fiber bundle is replaced with a
mask having an array of holes with each hole having a different depth or a different
refractive index. In still another aspect, the THz
fiber array is replaced with a plate holding different masks. Each
mask may include holes that may be turned on / off with a distinct pattern from all of the other holes. Once the data for each
mask has been received, the data for each hole may be extracted according to its
modulation pattern.