Terahertz solid immersion microscopy for sub-wavelength-resolution imaging of biological objects and tissues

Abstract

We have developed a method of terahertz (THz) solid immersion microscopy for imaging of biological objects and tissues. It relies on the solid immersion lens (SIL) employing the THz beam focusing into the evanescent-field volume and allowing strong reduction in the dimensions of the THz beam caustic. By solving the problems of the sample handling at the focal plane and raster scanning of its surface with the focused THz beam, the THz SIL microscopy has been adapted for imaging of soft tissues. We have assembled an experimental setup based on a backward-wave oscillator, as a continuous-wave source operating at the wavelength of λ = 500 μm, and a Golay cell, as a detector of the THz wave intensity. By imaging of the razor blade, we have demonstrated advanced 0.2λ-resolution of the proposed THz SIL configuration. Using the experimental setup, we have performed THz imaging of a mint leaf revealing its sub-wavelength features. The observed results highlight a potential of the THz SIL microscopy in biomedical applications of THz science and technology