Thomas D Tongue

US Patent:

7808636, Oct 5, 2010

Filed:

Jan 11, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/013167

Inventors:

Brian Schulkin - Troy NY, US
Thomas Tongue - Niskayuna NY, US
Jingzhou Xu - Ann Arbor MI, US
Jian Chen - Troy NY, US

Assignee:

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Troy NY

International Classification:

G01J 4/00

US Classification:

356365, 356364

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for detecting variations in electromagnetic fields, in particular, terahertz (THz) electromagnetic fields, are provided. The methods and apparatus employ polarization detection devices and controllers to maintain or vary the polarization of modulated signals as desired. The methods and apparatus are provided to characterize electromagnetic fields by directing the electromagnetic field and a probe beam upon an electro-crystal and detecting the modulation of the resulting probe beam. Detection of the modulation of the probe beam is practiced by detecting and comparing the polarization components of the modulated probe beam. Aspects of the invention may be used to analyze or detect explosives, explosive related compounds, and pharmaceuticals, among other substances. A compact apparatus, modular optical devices for use with the apparatus, sample holders, and radiation source mounts are also disclosed.

US Patent:

20110006226, Jan 13, 2011

Filed:

Sep 20, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/886131

Inventors:

Brian SCHULKIN - Troy NY, US
Thomas TONGUE - Niskayuna NY, US
Jingzhou XU - Ann Arbor MI, US
Jian CHEN - Troy NY, US

Assignee:

RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE - Troy NY

International Classification:

G21G 4/00
H01J 29/02

US Classification:

2504931, 2505221

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for detecting variations in electromagnetic fields, in particular, terahertz (THz) electromagnetic fields, are provided. The methods and apparatus employ polarization detection devices and controllers to maintain or vary the polarization of modulated signals as desired. The methods and apparatus are provided to characterize electromagnetic fields by directing the electromagnetic field and a probe beam upon an electro-crystal and detecting the modulation of the resulting probe beam. Detection of the modulation of the probe beam is practiced by detecting and comparing the polarization components of the modulated probe beam. Aspects of the invention may be used to analyze or detect explosives, explosive related compounds, and pharmaceuticals, among other substances. A compact apparatus, modular optical devices for use with the apparatus, sample holders, and radiation source mounts are also disclosed.

US Patent:

20120273681, Nov 1, 2012

Filed:

Apr 25, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/455590

Inventors:

Brian Jason Schulkin - Longmeadow MA, US
Thomas David Tongue - Niskayuna NY, US
Justin Graf St. James - Troy NY, US

Assignee:

Zomega Terahertz Corporation - East Greenbush NY

International Classification:

G01J 3/28

US Classification:

25033906

Abstract:

A solution for analyzing characteristics of compounds and materials (e.g., chemical composition, specific quantity, thickness, etc.) via THz time domain spectrometry is disclosed. In one embodiment, a spectrometry system includes: a portable housing including: a portable power source; a laser source connected to the portable power source; a terahertz (THz) emitter located within the portable housing and optically connected to the laser source via an optical array including a rotary delay stage, the THz emitter configured to emit THz radiation directed to interact with a material sample; a detector optically connected to the optical array and configured to obtain waveform data from the interaction between the THz radiation and the material sample; and a computing device communicatively connected to the detector and configured to process the waveform data to determine a characteristic of the material sample.

US Patent:

20140306128, Oct 16, 2014

Filed:

Jun 26, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/315358

Inventors:

- Troy NY, US
Thomas TONGUE - Niskayuna NY, US
Jingzhou XU - Ann Arbor MI, US
Jian CHEN - Troy NY, US

Assignee:

RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE - Troy NY

International Classification:

G21K 5/00

US Classification:

2504931

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for detecting variations in electromagnetic fields, in particular, terahertz (THz) electromagnetic fields, are provided. The methods and apparatus employ polarization detection devices and controllers to maintain or vary the polarization of modulated signals as desired. The methods and apparatus are provided to characterize electromagnetic fields by directing the electromagnetic field and a probe beam upon an electro-crystal and detecting the modulation of the resulting probe beam. Detection of the modulation of the probe beam is practiced by detecting and comparing the polarization components of the modulated probe beam. Aspects of the invention may be used to analyze or detect explosives, explosive related compounds, and pharmaceuticals, among other substances. A compact apparatus, modular optical devices for use with the apparatus, sample holders, and radiation source mounts are also disclosed.