Dual-Polarization Imaging with Real-Time Capability Using a Terahertz Noise Source for Food Inspection

A dual-polarization terahertz imaging system using a noise source which has frequency components between 0.075 THz and 0.11 THz has been newly developed for food inspection. The imaging system can take horizontal and vertical polarization images independently and simultaneously with a spatial resolution of better than 4 mm and a high data acquisition speed of 10 lines data (1,200 pixels) /msec. These characteristics of the imaging system fulfill industrial requirements for inspection of foods conveyed at a velocity of higher than 20 m/min.