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Space camera blazes new terahertz trails
11 February 2003
| The StarTiger imager operates at two frequencies: 0.25 THz and 0.3 THz. It captures natural submillimetre waves and having responses at two frequencies provides a means for contrasting between materials with different transmission and reflection properties, effectively creating two colours. A hand is here seen captured by the StarTiger imager and the four images illustrated processing steps to extract the information. From left to right:
- raw data shows pixillation and lines
- bi-linear resampling reduces line structure
- information is improved by change of dynamic range
- using false colours based upon the image taken in two frequencies, brings out more subtle features
By change of image processing focus can be selected according to interest, e.g. the skin, the hand itself or maybe objects behind, i.e. hidden by the hand. It has been verified that objects can be captured through clothes and more solid objects like books.
Credits: ESA | |  |  | |
| | | | | Star Tiger is a pioneering activity under the European Space Agency's Basic Technology Research Programme (TRP) to facilitate innovative and breakthrough research. The main aim is to reduce dramatically the development time for a critical space technology programme. The first project in partnership with CLRC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, England, is to realise the world’s first compact submillimetre wave imager using state-of-the-art micro-electro-mechanical technology. Star Tiger is short for 'Space Technology Advancements by Resourceful, Targeted and Innovative Groups of Experts and Researchers'.
Credits: ESA / Rutherford Appleton Laboratory | | | | |
| | | | | Terahertz waves occupy a portion of the spectrum between infrared and microwaves, from 10¹¹ to 10¹³ Hertz. Until now, this has been an unexplored part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Credits: ESA | | | | |
| | | | Space Applications
| The overall success of the StarTiger project was that the team managed in a very short time, only four months, to research, develop and combine a series of state-of-art technologies, and to produce a working imager able to capture pictures in the terahertz frequency range, 0.25 and 0.3 THz. This result confirmed the potential of the StarTiger innovative R&D methodology.
The StarTiger ‘colour’ terahertz imager is here seen under test at ESTEC, The Netherlands, by Peter de Maagt, ESA’s StarTiger Project Manager.
Credits: ESA | | | | |
| | | | Non-space applications
| | Star Tiger imaging could improve diagnostic techniques | | | | |
| | | | | The StarTiger project researched and developed state-of-the-art technologies. The successes include:
- micro machined room temperature detector was developed
- two colour micro machined waveguide array developed
- photonic band gap mixer developed
- technology route identified for a 2D image array
- potential key technology demonstrated for a electronically scanning-array
The micro machined image detector is here seen under development.
Credits: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory | | | | |
| | | | | Chris Mann,RAL Project Manager, presents Star Tiger project to Lord Sainbury, UK Minister for Science and Innovation, at the inauguration at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire, 24 June 2002
Credits: CCLRC / Rutherford Appleton Laboratory | | | | |
| | | | StarTiger team reaching the Terahertz Imager
| The StarTiger team is here seen together with Lord Sainsbury, Minister for Science and Innovation for the UK, and VIP from RAL and ESA. Standing at back, left to right, is seen Peter de Maagt (ESA Project Manager), Dario Castiglioni (team member), Alfred Zinn (team member), Chris Mann (RAL Project Manager), Frank van de Water (team member), Luisa Deias (team member), Geoff McBride (Deputy RAL Project Manager), Alec McCalden (team member), Alexander Laisne (team member), Ruben Edesen (RAL support), Derek Jenkins (team member), Marc Ferlet (RAL support), Jorge Teniente (team member), Inigo Ederra (team member), Antione Roederer (ESA) and Eike Kircher (ESA). Seated at front, left to right, Niels Jensen (ESA's Head of Technology Programmes Department), James O'Neill (team member), Lord
Sainsbury (Minister for Science and Innovation for the UK) and David Haskett (team member).
Credits: CCLRC / Rutherford Appleton Laboratory | | | | |
| | | | | The development of the StarTiger ‘colour’ terahertz imager, integrates such innovative technology areas as planar antenna technology, planar detector technology, micro machining technology, photonic band gap materials and miniaturised back-end electronics. One of the team members is here seen while aligning the scanning mechanism of the first prototype.
Credits: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory | | | | |
| | | | What’s next?
| | Startiger is a new approach to conducting research and development (R&D) which aims to reach a quantum increase in a promising technology within a short period of time. The fundamental concept is, bring together a small group of highly motivated researchers, grant them full access to laboratory and production facilities, remove all administrative distractions and let them work for an intense period of four to six months. The first Startiger project demonstrates that the turnaround time can be dramatically reduced in state-of-the-art technology research and development in certain areas. | | | | |
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| | More about... Star Tiger to unveil submillimetre wave secretsWanted: innovative minds for Star TigerESA Industry Web Site: Innovative brain synergy in Star TigerStar Tiger advertisementUK science minister inaugurates Star Tiger projectRelated links CLRC Rutherford Appleton LaboratoryESA technology activitiesESA Industry PortalESA Technology
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