Research on terahertz spectral diagnosis of glioma based on metasurface-enhanced refractive index sensing

Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy, with its non-invasive nature and rapid detection capabilities, holds great promise for medical diagnostics. However, the complex composition of biological tissues often results in minimal dielectric differences between healthy and diseased states, limiting the effectiveness of conventional THz detection methods. In this study, we address the challenge of the weak spectral contrast between glioma and normal brain tissues by leveraging the locally enhanced electromagnetic field of a metasurface to strengthen the interaction between THz waves and biological samples. A classical transmission-type metasurface composed of the single split-ring resonator array was employed. Biological tissues were experimentally characterized in conjunction with the metasurface. By analyzing the resonance frequency shifts induced by the presence of glioma versus normal tissue, we amplified the effective refractive index contrast between the two tissue types. This metasurface-assisted approach significantly improves the sensitivity of THz detection and offers a new and effective technical pathway for the rapid and accurate diagnosis of brain glioma.