Wave interrogated near field array system and method for detection of subwavelength scale anomalies

摘要

An array of antenna elements ( 20 ) can be used to detect subwavelength sized anomalies on a surface below the array. An array ( 20 ) is illuminated at optical frequencies by a coherent optical energy source ( 26 ). The change in reactance and radiated power of the antenna elements that results from the proximity of the anomaly to the near field of the antenna element's open-circuited is detected and holographically filtered to eliminate the radiation caused by the antenna array itself. Image processing is performed on the detected scattered radiation ( 100 ) to determine whether an anomaly is present and to locate the anomaly and its characteristics.