Abstract
Real-time, non-invasive imaging techniques are essential for advancing biomedical diagnostics and material analysis, yet existing terahertz (THz) systems often suffer from limited speed, bulky designs, and poor adaptability to in situ environments. Addressing these challenges, we present a fully fibre-coupled THz attenuated total internal reflection single-pixel imaging system, offering a compact, flexible, and robust platform for non-destructive spectroscopy and in vivo imaging. This all-fibre architecture enables seamless integration for in situ biomedical applications, including measurements directly on patients. Central to our design is a THz spatial light modulator based on an unpassivated silicon wafer, facilitating high-speed modulation and enabling video-rate imaging with a spatial resolution down to 360 μm. Despite being in the reflection geometry and using fibre-coupled light, our system achieves an imaging throughput exceeding 30,000 pixels per second for 64-by-64 images - over five-fold higher than the state of the art - representing a substantial improvement in real-time THz imaging capabilities.
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Data supporting the findings of this study are openly available in Figshare at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.30719816.
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Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge support from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) (EP/V047914/1). SLP is supported by the Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowship scheme (RF-2324-23-197). RIS acknowledges the support of the Yushan Young Fellow award (MOE-112-YSFMS-0009-001-P1).
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S.M. performed the experiments with help from R.I.S. and S.R. S.M. and R.I.S. analyzed the data with help from S.R. S.M., S.S., and R.I.S. constructed the experimental setup with help from E.H., H.O., and S.R. S.M. wrote the manuscript with input from S.S., E.H., J.L.H., and E.P.M. All authors checked the manuscript. H.O. fabricated the cartwheel sample. S.L.P. and J.D.M. provided the silicon photomodulators. E.P.M., J.L.H., and E.H. supervised the project.
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Mou, S., Stantchev, R.I., Saxena, S. et al. All-fibre-coupled terahertz single-pixel imaging for biomedical applications. Nat Commun (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-68290-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-68290-x
