Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This paper presents a high-speed photonic continuous wave phase sensitive radar system operating at 1 THz with a measurement rate of 20 kHz and micrometer precision. The system utilizes a monolithic dual-mode distributed feedback laser with a Y-shaped cavity, featuring rapid individual tunability of the modes via current modulation. This design generates a narrowband frequency-modulated beat signal for phase sampling, while additionally featuring a high potential for photonic integration. The laser’s wavelength modulation dynamics are thoroughly analyzed, and the THz radar system performance is characterized using a reflection target mounted on a motorized stage. The system achieves a precision of 2.6 cm for absolute positioning and 0.88 $$\upmu $$ μ m for relative position changes with a measurement rate of 20 kHz. The high measurement rate and micrometer precision are demonstrated in a possible field of application by sampling the position of a small metal plate mounted on a loudspeaker membrane playing up to 1 kHz of acoustic frequencies, while this target is concealed behind an optically opaque barrier.
Institutions: Ruhr University Bochum, University of Duisburg-Essen
Language: English
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,990
OpenAlex ID: W4415429566