[21p-A202-1~12] 3.8 Terahertz technologies (formerly 3.9)

[21p-A202-10] Demonstration of a real-time terahertz-wave radar based on a resonant-tunneling-diode oscillator

〇Adrian Dobroiu¹, Jia Ito¹, Safumi Suzuki¹, Masahiro Asada¹, Hiroshi Ito² (1.Tokyo Tech, 2.Kitasato Univ.)

Keywords:terahertz, resonant-tunneling diode, radar

We report on a subcarrier frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar in the terahertz range based on a resonant-tunneling-diode (RTD) oscillator emitting at 522 GHz. Compared with our previously reported results, we improved the radar system such as it now allows the measurement of fast moving targets (at least 1 m/s). This improvement was achieved by precisely synchronizing the sweep generation and the signal acquisition. With accurately timed measurements, we can now also determine the target speed, which involves measuring the distance twice. In addition, we demonstrate the radar’s real-time quality by performing a one-dimensional scan of a field of four reflecting targets, using a rotating mirror; this scan produces a two-dimensional map of the targets, where each target is seen as a bright spot.