Terahertz Atmospheric Radiance Model (TARM)

Interest in imaging applications of Terahertz (THz) radiation in many DoD areas has increased lately with recent advances in electronic and electro-optical THz sources, as well as progress in receiver and system technology. The accurate description of atmospheric attenuation effects on THz radiation is crucial for remote sensing applications. A growing number of resources are becoming publicly available for predicting THz atmospheric transmission, however, few are linked to robust experimental verification. Spectral Sciences, Inc. (SSI), together with the Submillimeter-Wave Technology Laboratory (STL) at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, and the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CFA) propose to build and experimentally verify a robust, high spectral resolution first-principles model of THz atmospheric propagation, as well as compile a database of molecular parameters for important trace gases that contribute to the attenuation of THz signals. The overall goal of the Phase I effort is the design and proof of concept of a prototype Terahertz Atmospheric Radiance Model (TARM) and the demonstration of capability to conduct field experimental validations of the model in Phase II, as well as the design of a plan to establish a library of trace gas THz molecular parameters in Phase II.