Sub-terahertz Imaging Device with Bumpy Reflector Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging devices struggle to accurately image objects hidden under clothing or metal, as they specularly reflect electromagnetic waves, limiting their ability to capture the shape of human bodies or metallic objects with high precision.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device utilizing an area light source that emits sub-terahertz waves, with a bumpy reflection surface to diffuse the waves, allowing for more accurate imaging of objects by reducing specular reflection and enhancing the resolution of hidden shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a point light source is used to emit electromagnetic waves, then the device structure is simple, but the imaging accuracy is insufficient due to specular reflection limiting the detectable area
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides a single point light source into multiple point light sources arranged in an array. This segmentation transforms the light emission from a single specular reflection point to multiple reflection points, enabling the detector to receive reflected waves from various angles and thereby improving imaging accuracy of the measurement target.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple point light sources to form an area light source with a light-emitting surface. By merging the functions of multiple point sources, the system achieves both the simplicity of point source generation and the imaging advantages of area illumination, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and imaging precision.
2Loss of energy
If a smooth reflection surface is used in the reflector, then the electromagnetic waves are efficiently reflected, but interference fringes appear and imaging accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces local quality variation on the reflection surface by creating a bumpy structure with controlled roughness. The surface has different local reflection characteristics - the bumpy structure diffuses reflected waves locally to eliminate interference fringes, while the overall reflector shape maintains efficient wave reflection. This local quality modification resolves the contradiction between reflection efficiency and imaging accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a smooth surface that produces specular reflection and interference patterns, the invention inverts the approach by deliberately creating a rough, bumpy surface. This inversion transforms the harmful interference effect into a useful diffusion effect that improves imaging by eliminating fringes while maintaining adequate reflection efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The imaging device achieves improved accuracy in capturing the shape of objects hidden under clothing or metal, providing a wider range of imaging and reducing interference fringes, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional devices.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector that reflects the sub-terahertz wave emitted from the at least one point light source, to generate a sub-terahertz wave to be emitted from the emission surface
Implementation Method 2
The reflector has a reflection surface that is a bumpy surface which includes two or more frequency components in a spatial frequency range
Implementation Method 3
a detector including an image sensor that receives a reflected wave generated by the measurement target reflecting the sub-terahertz wave emitted from the emission surface
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device includes: an area light source including an emission surface from which a sub-terahertz wave is emitted to a measurement target; and a detector including an image sensor that receives a reflected wave generated by the measurement target reflecting the sub-terahertz wave emitted from the emission surface. The area light source includes: at least one point light source that emits a sub-terahertz wave; and a reflector that reflects the sub-terahertz wave emitted from the at least one point light source, to generate a sub-terahertz wave to be emitted from the emission surface. The reflector has a reflection surface that is a bumpy surface which includes two or more frequency components in a spatial frequency range and whose roughness curve element mean length RSm is at least 0.3 mm.