Single-scan multiplane phase retrieval with a radiation of terahertz quantum cascade laser

• Published in: Applied physics. B, Lasers and optics Vol. 128; no. 3
• Main Authors: Chopard, Adrien, Tsiplakova, Elizaveta, Balbekin, Nikolay, Smolyanskaya, Olga, Perraud, Jean-Baptiste, Guillet, Jean-Paul, Petrov, Nikolay V., Mounaix, Patrick
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.03.2022; Springer Nature B.V; Springer Verlag
• Subjects: Algorithms; Antenna arrays; Applied physics; Engineering; Engineering Sciences; Imaging techniques; Iterative methods; Lasers; Optical Devices; Optics; Optimization; Phase retrieval; Photonic; Photonics; Physical Chemistry; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Quantum cascade lasers; Quantum Optics; Radiation; Sensor arrays; Wave front reconstruction; Wave fronts; Topographic profile; Shearography; Controlled disturbance method; Near-field diffraction; Parasitic wavefront curvature; Digital holography; Lateral displacement scanning; Transport of intensity equation (TIE); Stop-motion acquisition (SM); Collimated beam; High-power terahertz source; Coherent field distribution; Detector array; Imaging speed; Limited sensor dimensions; Auto-alignment unit; Polypropylene sample; Free-space propagation kernel; Transmission mode phase retrieval; Wavefront reconstruction; Composite material testing; Iterative reconstruction algorithms; Surface topography mapping; Numerical focusing; Frame rate (FPS); Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR); Pixel pitch; Multiplane phase retrieval; On-the-go acquisition (OTG); Fourier optics; Terahertz imaging; Quantum cascade laser (QCL); Vibration tolerance; Wavefront sensing; Edge effects; Twin-image elimination; Single-beam multiple intensity reconstruction (SBMIR); Antenna-coupled microbolometer; Mechanical stability; Optically pumped FIR gas laser; Optical axis; Fresnel number; Hartmann sensor; Ptychography; Phase object; Sensitivity enhancement; Adaptive optics; Continuous-wave holography; Material inspection; Continuous-wave terahertz; Refractive index mapping; Amplitude and phase profiles; Subsurface inspection; Raster scan acquisition; Diffraction patterns; High spatial resolution; Phase singularities; Biomedical imaging potential; Intensity distributions; Iterative denoising; Algorithmic extrapolation; Phase map accuracy; Schottky diode detector; Far-field diffraction; Non-destructive testing (NDT); Coherent imaging; Lensless imaging; Post-processing optimization; Decimated dataset; Data diversity; Beam shaping optics; Reflection mode phase retrieval; Far-field wavefront sensing; Reconstruction quality; Pulsed terahertz holography (PTDH); Real-time acquisition; Cultural heritage analysis; Diffractive imaging; Surface inspection; Terahertz phase retrieval; Single-scan acquisition; Longitudinal pitch; Subsample Hartmann method
• ISSN: 0946-2171; 1432-0649; 1432-0649
• DOI: 10.1007/s00340-022-07787-x

Terahertz phase retrieval from a set of axially separated diffractive intensity distributions is a promising single-beam computational imaging technique that ensures the obtention of high spatial resolutions and phase wavefronts, but remains restricted by time-consuming data acquisition processes. In this work, we have adopted an approach, relying on the radiation of a quantum cascade laser and the implementation of an express single-scan measurement of intensity distributions through the continuous on-the-go displacement of a high-sensitivity antenna-coupled microbolometer sensor array. In addition to the simplicity of this practical implementation and the minimization of measurement times, such an approach overcomes the problem of preliminary optimal selections of transverse intensity distributions used in the iterative phase retrieval algorithm and guarantees the required data diversity for high-quality wavefront reconstruction.