Meta-waveguide-based computed tomography for terahertz super-resolution imaging

X Xinyu Li (Cell and Molecular Biology Program) Z Zhengxin Wang L Lesiqi Yin (Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, Institute of Modern Optics, Nankai University , Tianjin 300350,) T Tiansheng Cui (Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, Institute of Modern Optics, Nankai University , Tianjin 300350,) H Huiqi Jiang (Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, Institute of Modern Optics, Nankai University , Tianjin 300350,) M Minghui Deng B Bohao Chen X Xingchen Wei (Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, Institute of Modern Optics, Nankai University , Tianjin 300350,) C Cheng Gong W Weiwei Liu (College of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Environment, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Separation Membrane Materials, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Low-carbon Control Technology for Industrial Pollution)

Abstract

A lens-free terahertz computed tomography method based on metamaterial waveguide (meta-waveguide) is proposed. In this method, the meta-waveguide replaces the traditional terahertz lens or mirror. It not only inherits the low-loss transmission performance of the waveguide but also breaks through the diffraction limit and achieves subwavelength focusing. Its focusing distance is greater than the Rayleigh length, which is helpful for Radon scanning and tomography imaging. The focusing and transmission characteristics of terahertz in meta-waveguide are analyzed, and the principle of meta-waveguide-based computational tomography system is presented. Then, a 3D printing and copper plating method was proposed for processing the meta-waveguides. Finally, a 0.1 THz Radon tomography scanning system was established. High quality terahertz images with a resolution of 1/3 of the wavelength were obtained, and the three-dimensional image of biological tissue (artificial blood vessel) was acquired.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 127, Issue 6
Published August 11, 2025
ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Applied Physics Letters

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0003-6951 Physical Sciences

Authors (10)

X

Xinyu Li

Cell and Molecular Biology Program

Z

Zhengxin Wang

L

Lesiqi Yin

Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, Institute of Modern Optics, Nankai University , Tianjin 300350,

T

Tiansheng Cui

Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, Institute of Modern Optics, Nankai University , Tianjin 300350,

H

Huiqi Jiang

Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, Institute of Modern Optics, Nankai University , Tianjin 300350,

M

Minghui Deng

B

Bohao Chen

X

Xingchen Wei

Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-Scale Optical Information Science and Technology, Institute of Modern Optics, Nankai University , Tianjin 300350,

C

Cheng Gong

W

Weiwei Liu

College of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Environment, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Separation Membrane Materials, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Low-carbon Control Technology for Industrial Pollution