Physical Optics Modeling for the Optimization of Millimetre-Wave Personnel Scanners

Recent advances in mm-wave imaging show promise for the enhanced detection of threats hidden under clothes. This is particularly important for airport security. This paper focuses on a methodology, based on a comprehensive simulation of the physics of an imaging system, that aims to assess the potential of various modifications to the current systems. This offers low-cost and rapid exploration of the effects of various system parameters, such as imager polarization manipulation, frequency, coherence parameters etc. We report here on the effect of frequency on scene contrast.