Biomedical applications of terahertz pulse imaging

Over the last decade advances in laser and semiconductor technology has allowed us to investigate the terahertz region of the electromagnetic spectrum as a potential tool for medical imaging. The terahertz frequency range covers the far infrared wavelengths and is sensitive to librational and vibrational modes of molecules. Terahertz radiation is nonionizing and is not highly scattered like visible and near infrared light. Terahertz pulse imaging has already demonstrated it effectiveness in vivo and by differentiating between tissue types in particular, benign and malignant tissue in vitro.