Sperm imaging utilizing terahertz near-field scanning microscopy

Terahertz (THz)-based near-field imaging technology exhibits significant potential for applications in biomedical detection. This study investigates biological cells utilizing the rapid imaging capabilities, high resolution, and non-destructive characteristics inherent to terahertz scattering-based scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM). The findings indicate that the integration of terahertz near-field microscopy with nanoprecision probes and a high-power terahertz radiation source transcends the size and resolution constraints of traditional terahertz far-field imaging systems, which typically achieve resolutions in the range of hundreds to tens of microns for smaller biological tissues. Furthermore, this approach addresses the intrinsic complexities associated with biological cells, such as the presence of numerous intracellular constituents and high water content, thereby facilitating clear and non-destructive imaging of both the surfaces and interiors of individual human sperm at resolutions on the order of tens of nanometers. The simultaneous acquisition of terahertz imaging data is accomplished in approximately 11 min, representing a substantial enhancement in imaging speed. This work not only serves as a compelling example but also presents an effective methodology for imaging medical biological samples using THz near-field microscopy.