"Computational spectral imaging in the THz band"

Passive imaging in the THz electromagnetic band has long promised to revolutionise security imaging and remote chemical fingerprinting. However, the development of passive THz cameras has been hampered by the sensitivity and impracticality of pixelated sensors in this spectral region. Today, a new wave of computational imaging techniques is revolutionizing how cameras are constructed, and the THz domain is the most pressing region in which to apply them. Using these computational approaches, we will create a new class of passive and multispectral THz imaging systems. To achieve this we will integrate sensitive, single-element detectors with efficient THz spatial light modulation and cutting-edge computational imaging techniques. We will implement hybrid few-pixel computational imaging systems, with multiple sensors deployed to enhance frame-rate, resolution and spectral discrimination. Together, these technologies will enable us to develop passive, hyper-spectral THz cameras that are orders of magnitude more efficient than existing THz imaging systems, representing a leap forward in stand-off security imaging.

Knowledge gained in this project will be of intrinsic interest to the UK's extensive electromagnetics, photonics and imaging research communities. Research in these areas supports some highly successful companies in the UK economy such as our partners QinetiQ. At a higher level, results will feed directly into security imaging applications. Here we have the opportunity to further strengthen the considerable defence industry presence in the UK, and we fully expect that this project will have significant impact in this area through our project partner QinetiQ. The new technologies under consideration in the final work packages represent a radically new approach to established imaging techniques. Such applications have significant potential economic impact: the global airport security market alone (including device and software solutions for monitoring, detection, and prevention of threats) was estimated to be $8.4 billion in 2014. This is forecast to continue to grow to $12.8 billion by 2023 (Grand View Research 2015 - Airport Security Market Analysis By Technology). Of this total security market, the estimated market size of next generation mm wave and THz scanners is currently £300M pa. We believe that our approach is timely, as any gains in imaging resolution, speed, sensitivity and selectivity, over existing THz imaging solutions, will be highly lucrative.

Our partner, QinetiQ, have a strong track record of bringing new products to market, developing simple drawing-board concepts through to real-world customer solutions. In all cases, the technology is developed in parallel with the business case, ensuring that the final product meets real customer needs by tailoring the development cycle accordingly. QinetiQ have also developed a variety of security scanners, including mm wave imagers (e.g. the recent SPO-NX device), making them an ideal partner to develop the technology presented in this proposal. By sharing equipment and knowledge, as well as providing consultancy as to the typical customer requirements, QinetiQ will enable our imaging systems to be developed towards a clear set of performance targets, whilst their knowledge of component suppliers and system manufacturers will help us to identify a suitable supply chain model. This latter factor is particularly important if our ideas are to stand a realistic chance of reaching exploitation in the competitive security devices market.