Imaging with a Terahertz quantum cascade laser

We demonstrate bio-medical imaging using a Terahertz quantum cascade laser. This new optoelectronic source of coherent Terahertz radiation allows building a compact imaging system with a large dynamic range and high spatial resolution. We obtain images of a rat brain section at 3.4 THz. Distinct regions of brain tissue rich in fat, proteins, and fluid-filled cavities are resolved showing the high contrast of Terahertz radiation for biological tissue. These results suggest that continuous-wave Terahertz imaging with a carefully chosen wavelength can provide valuable data on samples of biological origin; these data appear complementary to those obtained from white-light images.