HEB FPA imaging technology for security and biomedical applications

We have demonstrated a low-noise heterodyne three-element focal plane array (FPA) at 1.6 THz consisting of NbN hot electron bolometric (HEB) detectors, intimately integrated with monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) IF amplifiers in a single block. HEB technology is becoming the basis for advanced terahertz imaging and spectroscopic technologies for the study of biological and chemical agents over the entire terahertz spectrum. The use of FPAs is crucial for maximizing the detection speed in these applications.