Open AccessMeasurement depth enhancement in terahertz imaging of biological tissues
Author(s) -
Seung Jae Oh,
Sang Hoon Kim,
Kyu Shik Jeong,
Yeonji Park,
Yong Min Huh,
JooHiuk Son,
Jin Suck Suh
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.21.021299
Subject(s) - terahertz radiation , penetration depth , materials science , penetration (warfare) , optics , absorption (acoustics) , attenuation coefficient , optoelectronics , biomedical engineering , medicine , physics , operations research , composite material , engineering
We demonstrate the use of a THz penetration-enhancing agent (THz-PEA) to enhance the terahertz (THz) wave penetration depth in tissues. The THz-PEA is a biocompatible material having absorption lower than that of water, and it is easily absorbed into tissues. When using glycerol as a THz-PEA, the peak value of the THz signal which was transmitted through the fresh tissue and reflected by a metal target, was almost doubled compared to that of tissue without glycerol. THz time-of-flight imaging (B-scan) was used to display the sequential glycerol delivery images. Enhancement of the penetration depth was confirmed after an artificial tumor was located below fresh skin. We thus concluded that the THz-PEA technique can potentially be employed to enhance the image contrast of the abnormal lesions below the skin.