Abstract
The possibility of using commercial classical near-infrared (similar to 30 THz) focal-plane micro-bolometer arrays in the sub-terahertz frequency range is studied. Real-time room-temperature pixilated detector imaging of a 0.5 THz (lambda = 600 mu m) spatial beam pro. le emitted from a backward-wave oscillator is presented. Images, with a signal-to-noise ratio of 5 are demonstrated, leading to an estimate of the noise equivalent power of 11 nW . Hz(-1/2).