Design Concept of a Low-Terahertz Imaging Radar

Abstract

Terahertz (THz) imaging proved to be an efficient and powerful nondestructive examination (NDE) method for inspection of materials and detection of defects. Here, we present the development of a Low-Terahertz Imaging Radar(L-TIR) which is specifically designed for the evaluation of Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites. L-TIR will be a compact active radar with a laser pulse transmitter and a receiver which operates at the lower THz band (1 THz-2 THz). L-TIR will probe the structure and sub-layers of the FRP composites which makes it a suitable and fast tool to detect the cracks, breaks and deamination at sub-mm resolution. Keywords: THz Imaging Radar, NDE Method, FRP Composites