In one aspect, the present invention provides an imager, preferably
portable, that includes a source of electromagnetic radiation capable of
generating radiation with one or more frequencies in a range of about 1
GHz to about 2000 GHz. An optical system that is optically coupled to the
source focuses radiation received therefrom onto an object plane, and
directs at least a portion of the focused radiation propagating back from
the object plane onto an image plane. The imager further includes a scan
mechanism coupled to the optical system for controlling thereof so as to
move the focused radiation over the object plane. A detector optically
coupled to the lens at the image plane detects at least a portion of the
radiation propagating back from a plurality of scanned locations in the
object plane, thereby generating a detection signal. A processor that is
in communication with the detector generates an image of at least a
portion of the object plane based on the detection signal.