Terahertz wave camera captures 3D images of microscopic world
A terahertz wave camera that captures 3D images of microscopic items inside small objects has been demonstrated for the first time by Loughborough University scientists.
Lead researcher Dr Luana Olivieri said the team's latest study – primarily funded by the ERC Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme – could have “major implications for a range of fields with relevance in cancer screenings, security, and materials research”.
The early-stage research, carried out with Professor Marco Peccianti, Dr Luke Peters, Dr Juan S. Totero and a team of experts from the Emergent Photonics Research Centre (EPicX), demonstrated that terahertz waves can be used to locate and recognise embedded objects and features, such as cracks and bubbles, in microscopic three-dimensional space. The study has been published in ACS Photonics.
Terahertz wave frequencies range between microwave and infrared light, making them suited for penetrating opaque objects without causing harm. However, one of the main problems in the field of terahertz imaging is the limited ability to view microscopic objects.
Dr Olivieri and the EPicX team said it has overcome this limitation by developing ‘time-resolved nonlinear ghost imaging’, which combines advanced detection methods and involves manipulating light and measuring how it travels through an object over time.
Register now to continue reading
Thanks for visiting The Engineer. You’ve now reached your monthly limit of news stories. Register for free to unlock unlimited access to all of our news coverage, as well as premium content including opinion, in-depth features and special reports.
Benefits of registering
-
In-depth insights and coverage of key emerging trends
-
Unrestricted access to special reports throughout the year
-
Daily technology news delivered straight to your inbox
Experts speculate over cause of Iberian power outages
The EU and UK will be moving towards using Grid Forming inverters with Energy Storage that has an inherent ability to act as a source of Infinite...