Dictionary Learning-Based Image Reconstruction for Terahertz Computed Tomography

Terahertz computed tomography (THz CT) demonstrates its advantages in aspects of nonmetallic and nonpolar materials penetration, 3D internal structure visualization, etc. To perform satisfied reconstruction results, it is necessary to obtain complete measurements from many different views. However, this process is time-consuming and we usually obtain incomplete projections for THz CT in practice, which generates artifacts in the final reconstructed images. To address this issue, dictionary learning-based THz CT reconstruction (DLTR) model is proposed in this study. Especially, the image patches are extracted from other state-of-the-art reconstructed images to train the initial dictionary by using the K-SVD algorithm. Then, the dictionary can be adaptively updated during THz CT reconstruction. Finally, the updated dictionary is used for further updating reconstructed images. In order to verify the accuracy and quality of DLTR method, the filtered back-projection (FBP), simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (SART), and total variation (TV) reconstruction are chosen as comparisons. The experiment results show that the DLTR method has a good capability for noise suppression and structures preservation.

     

The Interaction of Laser and Photoconductor in a Continuous-Wave Terahertz Photomixer

The interaction of laser and photoconductor in an optical heterodyne conversion scheme is studied in detail. A dc biased photoconductor excited by two continuous-wave (CW) laser beams with a difference in their central frequencies falling in the terahertz spectrum is considered as the core element in all photoconductive photomixing structures. For this configuration the continuity equations for the electron and hole densities are solved in their general form along with the appropriate boundary conditions to find photocurrent distribution inside the photoconductor. It is shown that in a CW terahertz photomixing scheme the resulting photocurrent contains a dc component and a terahertz component. It is also shown that the amplitude and the phase of the terahertz component of the photocurrent are functions of the applied bias, physical parameters of the photoconductor, parameters of the lasers, and photomixer configuration. The dependency of the photocurrent on all of these parameters is explored in detail for a typical photomixer made of low-temperature-grown GaAs photoconductor.     

脉冲太赫兹波成像与连续波太赫兹成像特性的比较

对脉冲太赫兹(THz)波成像和连续波太赫兹成像进行了对比研究.在两个系统下分别进行实验,对两个成像系统的成像机理、系统分辨率、系统噪声、成像速度、信息量、价格、复杂性、便携性及其应用进行多方面的比较.研究结果表明,脉冲系统可以获取更多信息,连续波系统简单便捷,两者在应用上具有各自的特点,同时又有很好的互补性.另外,就脉冲太赫兹波成像的多波长特点,探讨了太赫兹波多光谱成像识别方法.     

Real-Time Determination of Absolute Frequency in Continuous-Wave Terahertz Radiation with a Photocarrier Terahertz Frequency Comb Induced by an Unstabilized Femtosecond Laser

A practical method for the absolute frequency measurement of continuous-wave terahertz (CW-THz) radiation uses a photocarrier terahertz frequency comb (PC-THz comb) because of its ability to realize real-time, precise measurement without the need for cryogenic cooling. However, the requirement for precise stabilization of the repetition frequency (f _rep) and/or use of dual femtosecond lasers hinders its practical use. In this article, based on the fact that an equal interval between PC-THz comb modes is always maintained regardless of the fluctuation in f _rep, the PC-THz comb induced by an unstabilized laser was used to determine the absolute frequency f _THz of CW-THz radiation. Using an f _rep-free-running PC-THz comb, the f _THz of the frequency-fixed or frequency-fluctuated active frequency multiplier chain CW-THz source was determined at a measurement rate of 10 Hz with a relative accuracy of 8.2?×?10^?13 and a relative precision of 8.8?×?10^?12 to a rubidium frequency standard. Furthermore, f _THz was correctly determined even when fluctuating over a range of 20 GHz. The proposed method enables the use of any commercial femtosecond laser for the absolute frequency measurement of CW-THz radiation.     

Elimination of Fresnel Reflection Boundary Effects and Beam Steering in Pulsed Terahertz Computed Tomography

For the past few decades there has been tremendous innovation and development of Terahertz (THz) science and imaging. In particular, the technique of 3-D computed tomography has been adapted from the X-Ray to the THz range. However, the finite refractive index of materials in the THz range can severally refract probing THz beams during the acquisition of tomography data. Due to Fresnel reflection power losses at the boundaries as well as steering of the THz beam through the sample, refractive effects lead to anomalously high local attenuation coefficients near the material boundaries of a reconstructed image. These boundary phenomena can dominate the reconstructed THz-CT images making it difficult to distinguish structural defect(s) inside the material. In this paper an algorithm has been developed to remove the effects of refraction in THz-CT reconstructed images. The algorithm is successfully implemented on cylindrical shaped objects.     

隐藏物的连续太赫兹反射扫描成像实验

太赫兹成像的优势在于能够穿透大多数非金属、非极性物质进行隐藏物的探测,而且不会对生物体造成伤害。其中太赫兹反射成像具有更为广泛的应用空间。由于对常见包装品和衣物的穿透能力在太赫兹反射成像系统的评估中十分重要,故利用CO2抽运太赫兹激光器所搭建的2.52THz反射扫描成像系统对剃须刀、铅笔字、5角硬币、金属纪念币和星卡等多种物体进行了穿透力实验;以纸、纸质快递信封和实验服为遮挡物,进行了成像对比分析。实验结果表明,该成像装置可以穿透单层实验服或单层纸制信封对目标成反射像,最大插入损耗近42dB。     

A Method for Stop-Action Imaging of the Heart Using Gated Computed Tomography

A new method for the reconstruction of limited angle projection data in rotary fan-beam X-ray computed tomography (CT) is presented. Missing views resulting from ECG-gated cardiac CT are estimated, and the standard fan-beam reconstruction algorithm is used to convolve and backproject both measured and estimated views. The estimation of the missing views takes place in three stages: first, the projection data is augmented by incorporating into each missing view the line integrals that do not pass through the heart, and which otherwise would be considered missing due to ECG-gating; second, line integrals corresponding to source positions in the range 180°±fan angle away from missing view angles are reflected; third, those line integrals that remain missing are estimated by interpolation. This method has been applied to ECG-gated cardiac imaging in dogs without requiring extensive interpolation; end-systolic and end-diastolic images were generated with short-interval gating (?cycle) and total scan time (breath holding period) of 12 s. An important advantage of this method over other proposed limited angle reconstruction techniques is that it uses the existing fan-beam convolution-backprojection algorithm for image reconstruction.     

Review of Terahertz Tomography Techniques

Terahertz and millimeter waves penetrate various dielectric materials, including plastics, ceramics, crystals, and concrete, allowing terahertz transmission and reflection images to be considered as a new imaging tool complementary to X-Ray or Infrared. Terahertz imaging is a well-established technique in various laboratory and industrial applications. However, these images are often two-dimensional. Three-dimensional, transmission-mode imaging is limited to thin samples, due to the absorption of the sample accumulated in the propagation direction. A tomographic imaging procedure can be used to acquire and to render three-dimensional images in the terahertz frequency range, as in the optical, infrared or X-ray regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. In this paper, after a brief introduction to two dimensional millimeter waves and terahertz imaging we establish the principles of tomography for Terahertz Computed tomography (CT), tomosynthesis (TS), synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and time-of-flight (TOF) terahertz tomography. For each technique, we present advantages, drawbacks and limitations for imaging the internal structure of an object.     

连续太赫兹反射式共焦扫描显微成像特性分析

太赫兹反射式共焦扫描显微成像系统分辨率较高且可呈现物体三维像,因此具有很大的应用价值。针对一种连续太赫兹反射式共焦扫描显微成像实验光路,在所确定的系统参数条件下,计算分析了两种太赫兹波长(118.83μm和184.31μm)的系统轴向响应特性。仿真结果表明,所设计的波长118.83μm的成像实验装置横向分辨率可达0.23 mm,轴向分辨率约为4.27 mm;波长184.31μm的系统横向分辨率可达0.36 mm,轴向分辨率约为6.63 mm。探测器轴向偏移影响大于横向偏移影响。     

全固态447 nm连续激光器

报道了一台采用激光二极管(LD)侧面抽运Nd∶YAP晶体的全固态腔内三倍频447 nm连续(CW)蓝光激光器.对几种常用的晶体进行分析对比后,选取Nd∶YAP晶体作为增益介质产生1341.4 nm基频光,腔内采用Ⅰ类临界相位匹配(CPM)LBO晶体进行倍频(SHG)产生670.7 nm波长激光,基频光与倍频红光再经Ⅱ类临界相位匹配的KTP晶体和频(SFM)获得447.1 nm蓝光输出.采用四镜折叠腔结构,通过谐振腔稳定性分析,优化选取了合适的谐振腔参数.实验对比了不同腔长的输出特性,最终在[534 W抽运功率下,获得了最高功率为114 mW的连续447.1 nm蓝光输出,光-光转换效率为0.02%,并分析了效率低的原因.     

Estimation of Regional Myocardial Blood Flow Using Computed Tomography: A Stochastic Formulation

Previously, we have presented a deterministic formulation for estimation of regional myocardial blood flow (RMBF) using X-ray computed tomography (CT) [1]. Quantitation of RMBF with the deterministic theory requires computing the zeroth and first moments of extrapolated myocardial contrast enhancement (CT numbers versus time) curves. This extrapolation is a potential source of error in the presence of recirculation, especially in myocardial regions with reduced flows. In the present paper, a stochastic approach for parameter estimation is undertaken, which renders an optimal RMBF estimate based upon the least squares error criteria. Random measurement errors are minimized, curve extrapolation is avoided, and the accuracy of RMBF estimates is predicted. The advantages of the stochastic versus the deterministic approach are demonstrated in the results obtained from the in vivo estimation of RMBF in normal and acutely ischemic myocardium of dogs.     

Lung Nodule Classification on Computed Tomography Images Using Deep Learning

Wireless Personal Communications - Lung Cancer is the most fast growing cancer around the world and is mostly diagnosed at an advanced stage. Due to enhancement in medical imaging modalities like...     

Tunable Terahertz Signals Using a Helicoidally Polarized Ceramic Microchip Laser

A two-frequency microchip laser based on highly doped ceramic Nd : YAG and twisted polarization modes is presented. The frequency difference between modes was tunable continuously over a frequency range of 150 GHz, from radio frequency to terahertz frequencies. This tuning is limited by the gain bandwidth of the Neodymium-doped YAG laser medium. The long-term frequency stability of the resulting narrow-linewidth beat-note signal is very good. This offers a simple, yet widely tunable terahertz source with potential for portable frequency reference applications.      

Enhanced Continuous-Wave Terahertz Imaging with a Horn Antenna for Food Inspection

Continuous-wave (CW) terahertz (THz) imaging with a horn antenna is proposed to enhance the spatial resolution of a THz imaging system. The attached waveguide that is smaller than the wavelength can easily increase the spatial resolution, and the optimized horn flare can significantly increase the transmission power. Consequentially, transmission THz images of a phantom obtained by the amplitude signal using a 0.2 THz wave reveal that the spatial resolution is achieved up to 500 μm. Also, the transmitted power is increased up to 6 times higher compared to the pinhole aperture. The feasibility of CW THz imaging with a horn antenna is demonstrated by the inspection of the organic samples inside food resulting in a relatively high sensitivity for soft organic samples compared with the sensitivity of X-ray imaging to this kind of samples.     

Laser Terahertz Emission Microscope

Developments of laser terahertz (THz) emission microscope (LTEM) systems are reviewed. Femtosecond lasers can excite the THz wave emission from various electronic materials, such as semiconductors, high-temperature superconductors, manganites, multiferroic oxides, etc., due to ultrafast current modulation. Limiting the topic to semiconductors, the current modulation is realized by acceleration or deceleration of photoexcited carriers due to the local electric field extrinsically or intrinsically induced at the laser illumination spot. Thus, LTEM has a potential to visualize the local electric field distribution and photoresponse without any contacts or damages. We have ever constructed prototype free-space type and scanning fiber-probe (SFP) type LTEM systems with transmission or reflection mode. The system performance of the SFP-LTEM has been greatly improved compared with that for the prototype one. The spatial resolution of the SFP-LTEM system has a minimum spatial resolution less than 3 mum , which is defined by the laser beam diameter. The compact SFP-LTEM system, in particular the reflection system, has the potential to be utilized for wide applications as well as various materials. In this review paper, we introduce the details of the LTEM systems and example applications for the evaluation of electric field distribution in integrated circuits and supercurrent distribution in high-temperature superconductors.     

太赫兹量子级联激光器

太赫兹技术近年来发展迅速,应用越来越广泛,是当前的热门研究领域。太赫兹量子级联激光器是产生太赫兹辐射的重要器件,对太赫兹量子级联激光器的发展,以及有源区和波导层的设计等进行了详细讨论。     

高功率激光二极管抽运的镱钠共掺氟化钙连续激光器

掺镱氟化钙(Yb3+:CaF2)激光器是最近国际上研究的热点之一,2008年报道的该类激光器,在64 W激光二极管(LD)的抽运下,实现了平均输出功率10.2 W的连续激光输出.利用国产镱钠共掺的氟化钙(Yb,Na:CaF2)激光晶体,采用三镜折叠腔型和激光二极管抽运,获得了该类激光器(Yb,Na:CaF2/Yb:CaF2)的高功率连续输出.实验参数为:输出耦合镜的透过率为4%,激光二极管的最大输出功率为40 W,中心波长为976 nm.当吸收抽运功率18.2 W时,获得了14.5 W的最高功率连续激光输出,相应的斜率效率为80%.结果表明,国产Yb,Na:CaF2晶体具有低激光阈值和高负载能力,是一种优良的高功率激光材料.     

连续太赫兹反射扫描成像分辨率测量实验研究

图像空间分辨率是太赫兹(THz)成像系统的重要技术参数。为了测量系统的分辨率特性,仿照ISO12233标准制作了星形分辨率测试卡。通过对测试卡进行成像,将成像结果进行简单的处理即可获得系统在不同方向上对不同空间频率方波的响应曲线,从而测得系统的调制传递函数。利用自制的分辨率测试卡在已建立的THz点扫描反射成像系统上进行了实验研究,对系统的分辨率特性进行了测量及分析。最终测得该系统的分辨率为1.273 lp/mm,对应的线宽为0.393 mm,测量结果与刀口法所得结果较为一致。分析表明,利用星形分辨率测试卡能够方便地对系统的分辨率特性进行测量分析,直观、准确地得出系统的分辨率上限。     

连续波500 W全固态Nd:YAG激光器研究

研制了全国产化全固态半导体激光器(LD)抽运模块，Nd：YAG激光输出功率达500W。介绍了优化抽运模块结构参数的程度。从增益分布特性等方面，介绍了研究其输入-输出功率特性的实验装置，随着抽运功率的增加，Nd：YAG激光输出以斜率效率47％线性增加，最大输出功率达到575W，光-光转换效率达26．1％。采用He-Ne激光探测法实验测量了该抽运模块中的热透镜效应。通过测量热焦距，分析了其热透镜效应：热透镜焦距与抽运功率成反比，抽运功率很小时，热焦距大，热透镜效应很小，被Nd；YAG棒的修凹面补偿，所以此时热焦距较大，热效应不显著。随着抽运功率的增大，热焦距减小，热透镜效应越来越显著。