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Superiority of terahertz over infrared transmission through bandages and burn wound ointments

Publication ,  Journal Article
Suen, JY; Padilla, WJ
Published in: Applied Physics Letters
June 6, 2016

Terahertz electromagnetic waves have long been proposed to be ideal for spectroscopy and imaging through non-polar dielectric materials that contain no water. Terahertz radiation may thus be useful for monitoring burn and wound injury recovery, as common care treatments involve application of both a clinical dressing and topical ointment. Here, we investigate the optical properties of typical care treatments in the millimeter wave (150-300 GHz), terahertz (0.3-3 THz), and infrared (14.5-0.67 μm) ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum. We find that THz radiation realizes low absorption coefficients and high levels of transmission compared to infrared wavelengths, which were strongly attenuated. Terahertz imaging can enable safe, non-ionizing, noninvasive monitoring of the healing process directly through clinical dressings and recovery ointments, minimizing the frequency of dressing changes and thus increasing the rate of the healing process.

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Published In

Applied Physics Letters

DOI

ISSN

0003-6951

Publication Date

June 6, 2016

Volume

108

Issue

23

Related Subject Headings

  • Applied Physics
  • 51 Physical sciences
  • 40 Engineering
  • 10 Technology
  • 09 Engineering
  • 02 Physical Sciences
 

Citation

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Suen, J. Y., & Padilla, W. J. (2016). Superiority of terahertz over infrared transmission through bandages and burn wound ointments. Applied Physics Letters, 108(23). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4953265
Suen, J. Y., and W. J. Padilla. “Superiority of terahertz over infrared transmission through bandages and burn wound ointments.” Applied Physics Letters 108, no. 23 (June 6, 2016). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4953265.
Suen JY, Padilla WJ. Superiority of terahertz over infrared transmission through bandages and burn wound ointments. Applied Physics Letters. 2016 Jun 6;108(23).
Suen, J. Y., and W. J. Padilla. “Superiority of terahertz over infrared transmission through bandages and burn wound ointments.” Applied Physics Letters, vol. 108, no. 23, June 2016. Scopus, doi:10.1063/1.4953265.
Suen JY, Padilla WJ. Superiority of terahertz over infrared transmission through bandages and burn wound ointments. Applied Physics Letters. 2016 Jun 6;108(23).

Published In

Applied Physics Letters

DOI

ISSN

0003-6951

Publication Date

June 6, 2016

Volume

108

Issue

23

Related Subject Headings

  • Applied Physics
  • 51 Physical sciences
  • 40 Engineering
  • 10 Technology
  • 09 Engineering
  • 02 Physical Sciences