Possible applications of superconducting devices in terahertz imaging of biological objects

Lying between microwave and infrared, terahertz waveband provides us with many chances for scientific research and practical applications, while there are still many challenges. It has been demonstrated that imaging is one of the fields where terahertz technology can be of great value compared with other competing technologies. In this talk, Prof. Wu shall discuss some of our imaging results using either continuous-wave or pulsed terahertz sources. Strong absorption of terahertz signals in water can be a problem in imaging of biological objects. To overcome the difficulties caused by this problem, they have explored the possibility of using superconducting devices in this field which are believed to be the most sensitive detectors at terahertz waveband so far. Also addressed in the talk will be the results relevant to this issue.