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Confocal Terahertz Imaging of Ancient Manuscripts.
- Source :
-
Journal of Infrared, Millimeter & Terahertz Waves . Apr2017, Vol. 38 Issue 4, p435-442. 8p. - Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- Terahertz imaging has the potential to identify and decipher portions of ancient manuscripts, which may be unreadable at infrared and visible wavelengths. We use a scanning confocal terahertz microscope to scan a medieval parchment with music notes and pentagrams written with different inks. The microscope is based on a continuous-wave solid-state source at 0.3 THz, emitting in the free space with a horn antenna, and a high numerical-aperture ellipsoidal reflector. We present terahertz images with diffraction-limited lateral resolution of approximately 0.5 mm, where the different inks all give similar high contrast. Symbols written on the 'verso' side of the parchment, barely glimpsed in the near-infrared photograph, leave a clear imprint in the terahertz images. Artifacts due to imperfect flatness of the parchment are also briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 18666892
- Volume :
- 38
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Infrared, Millimeter & Terahertz Waves
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 121840889
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10762-016-0338-x