SBIR Phase I: A Novel Imaging Device for Infrared and Terahertz Radiation Beams Utilizing Thermochromic Liquid Crystal Materials

这个小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目将开发一种基于热致变色液晶的成像探测器。其工作原理是利用电磁辐射在热致变色液晶材料的薄片上沉积的热量，该材料通过改变颜色来对温度产生反应。入射辐射的轮廓被转换为液晶片上的颜色分布。用摄像机对薄片进行成像，并对图像进行处理以提供有关辐射的信息。该项目的目标将是选择适当的系统组件(晶体、温度调节器、光学和视频、控制和数据采集)，并组装和测试原理验证原型。如果成功，这个项目的成果将是一种廉价的宽带成像探测器，在电磁光谱的远红外到太赫兹范围内有特殊的应用。电磁频谱的远红外和太赫兹范围在科学(天文学、材料研究、加速器物理)和国土安全(探测化学和生物制剂、爆炸物和隐蔽武器)中的应用越来越多。虽然目前太赫兹辐射的产生和检测领域引起了极大的兴趣，但由于成本高和操作技术复杂，基本的太赫兹实验室测试设备并不容易获得。虽然该探测器将立即在实验室中使用，但工业和安全系统的应用是可以预见的。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop an imaging detector based on thermochromic liquid crystals. The principle of operation is to use the heat deposited by electromagnetic radiation on a thin sheet of thermochromic liquid crystal material, which reacts to temperature by changing color. The profile of the incident radiation is translated to a color distribution on the liquid crystal sheet. The sheet is imaged with a video camera and the image is processed to provide information about the radiation. The objectives of the project will be to choose the proper system components (crystal, thermal regulator, optics and video, controls and data acquisition) and assemble and test a proof-of-principle prototype. If successful the out come of this project will be an inexpensive, broadband imaging detector with particular application in the far infrared to terahertz range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The far infrared and terahertz range of the electromagnetic spectrum is finding increasing application in science (astronomy, materials research, accelerator physics) and homeland security (detection of chemical and biological agents, explosives, and concealed weapons). While there is currently great interest in the field of terahertz radiation production and detection, the basic terahertz laboratory test equipment is not easily accessible due to high costs and involved operating techniques. While the detector would find immediate use in laboratories, applications to the industrial and security systems are envisioned.