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Super-resolution THz endoscope based on a hollow-core sapphire waveguide and a solid immersion lens
Optics Express
|May 9, 2023
Summary
This study presents a novel super-resolution terahertz (THz) endoscope using an antiresonant hollow-core waveguide and sapphire solid immersion lens (SIL). The system achieves subwavelength focusing, overcoming the diffraction limit for advanced imaging.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Biomedical Imaging
- Terahertz Technology
Background:
- Super-resolution imaging is crucial for detailed microscopic analysis.
- Terahertz (THz) endoscopy faces challenges with diffraction-limited resolution.
- Subwavelength focusing is key to overcoming these limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a super-resolution endoscope for terahertz (THz) imaging.
- To achieve subwavelength confinement of guided modes in a THz waveguide system.
- To overcome the Abbe diffraction limit in THz endoscopy.
Main Methods:
- Coupling an antiresonant hollow-core waveguide with a sapphire solid immersion lens (SIL).
- Optimizing the geometry of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-coated sapphire waveguide.
- Designing and fabricating a bulk sapphire SIL and integrating it with the waveguide.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated subwavelength confinement of the guided mode.
- Achieved a focal spot diameter of approximately 0.2λ at 500 μm wavelength.
- Experimental results align with numerical predictions, confirming super-resolution capabilities.
Conclusions:
- The developed waveguide-SIL system enables super-resolution THz endoscopy.
- The system overcomes the conventional diffraction limit for THz imaging.
- This technology holds promise for advanced biomedical imaging applications.
