94 GHz millimetre-wave imaging system implementing optical upconversion

Millimeter wave (mmW) imaging is continually being researched for its applicability in all weather imaging. While previous accounts of our imaging system utilized Q-band frequencies (33-50 GHz), we have implemented a system that now achieves far-field imaging at W-band frequencies (75-110 GHz). Our mmW imaging approach is unique due to the fact that optical upconversion is used as the method of detection. Optical modulators are not commercially available at W-band frequencies; therefore, we have designed our own optical modulator that functions at this frequency range. Imaging at higher frequencies increases our overall resolution two to three times over what was achieved at Q-band frequencies with our system. Herein, we present imaging results obtained using this novel detector setup, as well as key imager metrics that have been experimentally validated.