The implementation of terahertz (THz) imaging for non-destructive evaluation shows great promise in 2 and 3 dimensional non-contact inspection of non-conductive materials such as plastics, foam, composites, ceramics, paper, wood and glass. THz imaging employs safe low power non-ionizing electromagnetic pulses, which produce images with lateral resolution <200 microns, and depth resolution <50 microns. We demonstrate the detection of voids and disbonds intentionally incorporated within the sprayed on foam insulation of a space shuttle external tank mock-up segment using time domain THz imaging. Recently, highly integrated turn-key THz imaging systems have been introduced commercially. An industrially hardened THz scanning system which has been deployed to scan the space shuttle tank with small remote THz transceiver on a 30 meter fiber optic umbilical, is described.


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    Title :

    Technology and applications of terahertz imaging non-destructive examination. Inspection of space shuttle sprayed on foam insulation


    Additional title:

    Technologie und Anwendung der Terahertz-Abbildung zur zerstörungsfreien Prüfung. Prüfung von Aufsprühungen auf den Isolierschaum am Space-Shuttle


    Contributors:
    Zimdars, D. (author) / Valdmanis, J.A. (author) / White, J.S. (author) / Stuk, G. (author) / Williamson, S. (author) / Winfree, W.P. (author) / Madaras, E.I. (author)


    Publication date :

    2005


    Size :

    8 Seiten, 7 Bilder, 5 Quellen




    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Storage medium


    Language :

    English




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