Glow discharge detector for terahertz and millimeter wave radiation detection and imaging

Abstract

Glow discharge plasma, deriving from direct current gas breakdown, was investigated in order to realize an inexpensive THz room temperature detector. Preliminary results for THz radiation show that glow discharge indicator lamps as room temperature detectors yield good responsivity and NEP. Development of a Focal Plane Array (FPA) using such devices as detectors is advantageous since the costs of glow discharge detector is around $0.2-$0.5 per lamp, and the FPA images will be diffraction limited. The detection mechanism of the glow discharge detector was found to be enhanced diffusion current which causes decrease of glow discharge detector bias current when exposed to THz radiation.