Single‐pixel terahertz imaging:a review

This paper is devoted to reviewing the results achieved so far in the application of the single-pixel imaging technique to terahertz(THz)systems.The use of THz radiation for imaging purposes has been largely explored in the last twenty years,due to the unique capabilities of this kind of radiation in interrogating material properties.However,THz imaging systems are still limited by the long acquisition time required to reconstruct the object image and significant efforts have been recently directed to overcome this drawback.One of the most promising approaches in this sense is the so-called“single-pixel”imaging,which in general enables image reconstruction by patterning the beam probing the object and measuring the total transmission(or reflection)with a single-pixel detector(i.e.,with no spatial resolution).The main advantages of such technique are that i)no bulky moving parts are required to raster-scan the object and ii)compressed sensing(CS)algorithms,which allow an appropriate reconstruction of the image with an incomplete set of measurements,can be successfully implemented.Overall,this can result in a reduction of the acquisition time.In this review,we cover the experimental solutions proposed to implement such imaging technique at THz frequencies,as well as some practical uses for typical THz applications.

Spectroscopic measurements and terahertz imaging of the cornea using a rapid scanning terahertz time domain spectrometer

Spectroscopic measurements and terahertz imaging of the cornea are carried out by using a rapid scanning terahertz time domain spectroscopy（THz-TDS） system.A voice coil motor stage based optical delay line（VCM-ODL） is developed to provide a rather simple and robust structure with both the high scanning speed and the large delay length.The developed system is used for THz spectroscopic measurements and imaging of the corneal tissue with different amounts of water content,and the measurement results show the consistence with the reported results,in which the measurement time using VCM-ODL is a factor of 360 shorter than the traditional motorized optical delay line（MDL）.With reducing the water content a monotonic decrease of the complex permittivity of the cornea is observed.The two-term Debye relaxation model is employed to explain our experimental results,revealing that the fast relaxation time of a dehydrated cornea is much larger than that of a hydrated cornea and its dielectric behavior can be affected by the presence of the biological macromolecules.These results demonstrate that our THz spectrometer may be a promising candidate for tissue hydration sensing and practical application of THz technology.

Simulation for embedded-defects foam terahertz images of active bifocal terahertz imaging system at 0.22 THz based on geometric optics

We simulate the measurements of an active bifocal terahertz imaging system to reproduce the ability of the system to detect the internal structure of foams having embedded defects.Angular spectrum theory and geometric optics tracing are used to calculate the incident and received electric fields of the system and the scattered light distribution of the measured object.The finite-element method is also used to calculate the scattering light distribution of the measured object for comparison with the geometric optics model.The simulations are consistent with the measurements at the central axis of the horizontal stripe defects.

A new horizon for neuroscience:terahertz biotechnology in brain research

Terahertz biotechnology has been increasingly applied in various biomedical fields and has especially shown great potential for application in brain sciences.In this article,we review the development of terahertz biotechnology and its applications in the field of neuropsychiatry.Available evidence indicates promising prospects for the use of terahertz spectroscopy and terahertz imaging techniques in the diagnosis of amyloid disease,cerebrovascular disease,glioma,psychiatric disease,traumatic brain injury,and myelin deficit.In vitro and animal experiments have also demonstrated the potential therapeutic value of terahertz technology in some neuropsychiatric diseases.Although the precise underlying mechanism of the interactions between terahertz electromagnetic waves and the biosystem is not yet fully understood,the research progress in this field shows great potential for biomedical noninvasive diagnostic and therapeutic applications.However,the biosafety of terahertz radiation requires further exploration regarding its two-sided efficacy in practical applications.This review demonstrates that terahertz biotechnology has the potential to be a promising method in the field of neuropsychiatry based on its unique advantages.

Terahertz endoscopic imaging for colorectal cancer detection:Current status and future perspectives

Terahertz(THz) imaging is progressing as a robust platform for myriad applications in the field of security,health,and material science.The THz regime,which comprises wavelengths spanning from microns to millimeters,is non-ionizing and has very low photon energy:Making it inherently safe for biological imaging.Colorectal cancer is one of the most common causes of death in the world,while the conventional screening and standard of care yet relies exclusively on the physician's experience.Researchers have been working on the development of a flexible THz endoscope,as a potential tool to aid in colorectal cancer screening.This involves building a single-channel THz endoscope,and profiling the THz response from colorectal tissue,and demonstrating endogenous contrast levels between normal and diseased tissue when imaging in reflection modality.The current level of contrast provided by the prototype THz endoscopic system represents a significant step towards clinical endoscopic application of THz technology for invivo colorectal cancer screening.The aim of this paper is to provide a short review of the recent advances in THz endoscopic technology and cancer imaging.In particular,the potential of single-channel THz endoscopic imaging for colonic cancer screening will be highlighted.

Photomechanical meta-molecule array for real-time terahertz imaging

Real-time terahertz(THz)imaging offers remarkable application possibilities,especially in the security and medical fields.However,most THz detectors work with scanners,and a long image acquisition time is required.Some thermal detectors can achieve realtime imaging by using a focal plane array but have the drawbacks of low sensitivity due to a lack of suitable absorbing materials.In this study,we propose a novel photomechanical meta-molecule array by conveniently assembling THz meta-atom absorbers and bi-material cantilevers together,which can couple THz radiation to a mechanical deflection of the meta-molecules with high efficiency.By optically reading out the mechanical deflections of all of the meta-molecules simultaneously,real-time THz imaging can be achieved.A polyimide sacrificial layer technique was developed to fabricate the device on a glass wafer,which facilitates the transmission of a readout light while the THz wave radiates onto the meta-molecule array directly from the front side.THz images and video of various objects as well as infrared images of the human body were captured successfully with the fabricated metamolecule array.The proposed photomechanical device holds promise in applications in single and broadband THz as well as infrared imaging.

Flat mirror for millimeter-wave and terahertz imaging systems using an inexpensive metasurface

Flat mirrors, also known as flat parabolic surfaces, for millimeter-wave and terahertz imaging systems are demonstrated. This flat mirror is based on the metasurface in which an inexpensive printed circuit board technology is used to realize copper patterns printed on an FR4 substrate. Compared to the conventional reflector antennas used today in diverse applications （for homeland security, medical systems, communication, etc.）, the suggested mirror has major advantages in process simplicity, mechanical flexibility, frequency alignment, weight, and cost. The theoretical background, simulation results, experimental results, and proof of concept are given in this Letter.

Terahertz two-pixel imaging based on complementary compressive sensing

A compact terahertz（THz） imaging system based on complementary compressive sensing has been proposed using two single-pixel detectors. By using a mechanical spatial light modulator, sampling in the transmission and reflection orientations was achieved simultaneously, which allows imaging with negative mask values. The improvement of THz image quality and anti-noise performance has been verified experimentally compared with the traditional reconstructed image, and is in good agreement with the numerical simulation. The demonstrated imaging system, with the advantages of high imaging quality and strong anti-noise property, opens up possibilities for new applications in the THz region.

Terahertz Transmission Imaging with 2.52 THz Continuous Wave

In this article, two terahertz transmission imaging systems are built with a 2.52 THz continuous wave laser and two types of sensors. One is array scanning system using a 124×124 pyro-electric array camera as the detector; the other is a point-wise scanning system utilizing a Golay cell as the detector. The imaging speed and quality is briefly analyzed. Terahertz （THz） imaging results demonstrate that the array scanning system has higher imaging speed with lower resolution. The point-wise scanning system has higher imaging quality with lower speed.

Terahertz Three-Dimensional Imaging Based on Computed Tomography with Photonics-Based Noise Source

Computed tomography has been proven to be useful for non-destructive inspection of structures and materials. We build a three-dimensional imaging system with the photonically generated incoherent noise source and the Schottky barrier diode detector in the terahertz frequency band （90–140GHz）. Based on the computed tomography technique, the three-dimensional image of a ceramic sample is reconstructed successfully by stacking the slices at different heights. The imaging results not only indicate the ability of terahertz wave in the non-invasive sensing and non-destructive inspection applications, but also prove the effectiveness and superiority of the uni-traveling-carrier photodiode as a terahertz source in the imaging applications.

Error analysis of polyamide plate thickness detection based on Terahertz Time Domain System

The analysis on the thickness of polyamide plate using Terahertz Time Domain System(THz-TDS)in reflection mode is carried out.The refractive index,one of the optical parameters in terahertz band,is solved through the mathematics model,and its value is 1.88.A kind of polyamide plate sample with four kinds of thickness is designed and the ability of THz-based method to detect defects or foreign bodies in fiber glass is verified by attaching metal plates to the back of fiberglass.By the comparison of traditional method and THz method,the terahertz method has a measurement error between 2.5%and 10%.As the thickness increases,the error tends to increase.The reason about the deviations is analyzed,as well as the systematic factors affecting the thickness measurement accuracy,in order to improve the accuracy of THz thickness measurement system and provide theoretical basis for designing terahertz thickness measurement system in the future.

Diagnosis of Dental Caries Using Terahertz Technology

Recently,the diagnoses of dental caries and other dental issues are in a queue as only X-ray-based techniques are available in most hospitals around the world.Terahertz(THz)parametric imaging(TPI)is the latest technology that can be applied for medical applications,especially dental caries.This technology is harmless and thus suitable for biological samples owing to the low energy of THz emission.In this paper,a developed TPI system is used to investigate the two-dimensional(2 D)and three-dimensional(3D)images of different samples from human teeth.After analyzing the measured images of human teeth,the results suggest that the THz parametric technology is capable of investigating the inner side structure of the teeth.This technique can be useful in detecting the defects in all types of human and animal teeth.The measurement and analytical calculations have been performed by using the TPI system and MATLAB,respectively,and both are in good agreement.The characteristics of THz waves and their interactions with the tooth samples are summarized.And the available THz-based technologies,such as TPI,and their potential applications of diagnoses are also presented.

Review of theoretical methods and research aspects for detecting leaf water content using terahertz spectroscopy and imaging

The water content in vegetative leaves is an important indicator to plant science.It reveals the physiological status of plants and provides valuable information in irrigation management.Terahertz(THz)as a state-of-the-art technology shows great potential in measuring and monitoring the water status in plant leaves.This paper reviewed the theoretical models for calculating water content in the plant leaves,the methods for eliminating the scattering loss caused by the surface roughness of leaf,the applications of THz spectroscopy and THz imaging for monitoring leaf water content and describing leaf water distribution.The survey of the researches presents the considerable advantages of this emerging and promising THz technology in agriculture.

High sensitivity and high selectivity terahertz biomedical imaging

We demonstrate two distinct emerging terahertz （THz） biomedical imaging techniques.One is based on the use of a new single frequency THz quantum cascade laser and the other is based on broadband THz time domain spectrocopy.The first method is employed to derive a metastasis lung tissue imaging at 3.7 THz with clear contrast between cancerous and healthy areas.The second approach is used to study an osseous tissue under several imaging modalities and achieve full THz spectroscopic imaging based on the frequency domain or on a fixed THz propagation time-delay.Sufficient contrast is achieved which facilitated the identification of regions with different cellular types and density compositions.

Terahertz wave tomographic imaging with a Fresnel lens

We demonstrate three-dimensional tomographic imaging vising a Fresnel lens with broadband terahertz pulses. Objects at various locations along the beam propagation path are uniquely imaged on the same imaging plane using a Fresnel lens with different frequencies of the imaging beam. This procedure allows the reconstruction of an object's tomographic contrast image by assembling the frequency-dependent images.

Continuous-wave terahertz diffraction tomography for measuring three-dimensional refractive index maps

Three-dimensional(3D)refractive index(RI)distribution is important to reveal the object’s inner structure.We implemented terahertz(THz)diffraction tomography with a continuous-wave single-frequency THz source for measuring 3D RI maps.The off-axis holographic interference configuration was employed to obtain the quantitative scattered field of the object under each rotation angle.The 3D reconstruction algorithm adopted the filtered backpropagation method,which can theoretically calculate the exact scattering potential from the measured scattered field.Based on the Rytov approximation,the 3D RI distribution of polystyrene foam spheres was achieved with high fidelity,which verified the feasibility of the proposed method.