Creams and Oils: Possible THz Coupling Media for Rough Surfaces?

Abstract

Ex vivo and in vivo studies of human skin using reflected terahertz radiation (THz) have revealed that THz has potential for use in medical diagnosis of skin diseases. Detected signals could be enhanced via the application of creams or oils. This idea is similar to that in therapeutic ultrasound: hydrophilic gels improve the coupling of the acoustic wave to the stratum corneum (SC). The use of creams or oils to enhance THz coupling to the SC has not been previously explored. This paper elucidates the impact of two types of commercially available ointment on three different pseudo-skin phantoms at THz frequencies.

Influence of surface clutter on THz spectroscopy of skin

“…The theory of the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with rough surfaces has been studied extensively in areas such as radar and computer graphics [2]- [4]. Studies in the THz regime have recently emerged [5], [6].…”