Low Cost Thermopile Detectors for THz Imaging and Sensing

We evaluate 2 thermopile sensors as convenient detector options for a modern integrated THz imaging system. Both a commercial single pixel device and a 32x32 pixel FPA are utilized in a simple setup with a single optical element to achieve an outstanding resolution and SNR performance. Either a cryogenically cooled quantum cascade laser (QCL) or a room temperature electronic THz multiplier chain is used as source.