Sperm imaging utilizing terahertz near-field scanning microscopy

Terahertz (THz)-based near-field imaging technology exhibits significant potential for applications in biomedical detection. This study investigates biological cells utilizing the rapid imaging capabilities, high resolution, and non-destructive characteristics inherent to terahertz scattering-based...

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Main Authors: Zhenchun Yu, Chengyao Peng, Shun Bai, Yuanqi Zhao, Yangyang Si, Wenbing Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/13102818.2025.2491500
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author Zhenchun Yu
Chengyao Peng
Shun Bai
Yuanqi Zhao
Yangyang Si
Wenbing Zhang
author_facet Zhenchun Yu
Chengyao Peng
Shun Bai
Yuanqi Zhao
Yangyang Si
Wenbing Zhang
author_sort Zhenchun Yu
collection DOAJ
description Terahertz (THz)-based near-field imaging technology exhibits significant potential for applications in biomedical detection. This study investigates biological cells utilizing the rapid imaging capabilities, high resolution, and non-destructive characteristics inherent to terahertz scattering-based scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM). The findings indicate that the integration of terahertz near-field microscopy with nanoprecision probes and a high-power terahertz radiation source transcends the size and resolution constraints of traditional terahertz far-field imaging systems, which typically achieve resolutions in the range of hundreds to tens of microns for smaller biological tissues. Furthermore, this approach addresses the intrinsic complexities associated with biological cells, such as the presence of numerous intracellular constituents and high water content, thereby facilitating clear and non-destructive imaging of both the surfaces and interiors of individual human sperm at resolutions on the order of tens of nanometers. The simultaneous acquisition of terahertz imaging data is accomplished in approximately 11 min, representing a substantial enhancement in imaging speed. This work not only serves as a compelling example but also presents an effective methodology for imaging medical biological samples using THz near-field microscopy.
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publishDate 2025-12-01
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spelling doaj-art-cd5586fe6046474db90f618230523d512025-08-20T02:12:23ZengTaylor & Francis GroupBiotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment1310-28181314-35302025-12-0139110.1080/13102818.2025.2491500Sperm imaging utilizing terahertz near-field scanning microscopyZhenchun Yu0Chengyao Peng1Shun Bai2Yuanqi Zhao3Yangyang Si4Wenbing Zhang5Advanced Wave Source Research Center, Institute of Energy, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaAdvanced Wave Source Research Center, Institute of Energy, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaCenter for Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaCenter for Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaSchool of Physics and Electronic Information, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui, ChinaAdvanced Wave Source Research Center, Institute of Energy, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaTerahertz (THz)-based near-field imaging technology exhibits significant potential for applications in biomedical detection. This study investigates biological cells utilizing the rapid imaging capabilities, high resolution, and non-destructive characteristics inherent to terahertz scattering-based scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM). The findings indicate that the integration of terahertz near-field microscopy with nanoprecision probes and a high-power terahertz radiation source transcends the size and resolution constraints of traditional terahertz far-field imaging systems, which typically achieve resolutions in the range of hundreds to tens of microns for smaller biological tissues. Furthermore, this approach addresses the intrinsic complexities associated with biological cells, such as the presence of numerous intracellular constituents and high water content, thereby facilitating clear and non-destructive imaging of both the surfaces and interiors of individual human sperm at resolutions on the order of tens of nanometers. The simultaneous acquisition of terahertz imaging data is accomplished in approximately 11 min, representing a substantial enhancement in imaging speed. This work not only serves as a compelling example but also presents an effective methodology for imaging medical biological samples using THz near-field microscopy.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/13102818.2025.2491500Terahertzspermnear-fieldimaging
spellingShingle Zhenchun Yu
Chengyao Peng
Shun Bai
Yuanqi Zhao
Yangyang Si
Wenbing Zhang
Sperm imaging utilizing terahertz near-field scanning microscopy
Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment
Terahertz
sperm
near-field
imaging
title Sperm imaging utilizing terahertz near-field scanning microscopy
title_full Sperm imaging utilizing terahertz near-field scanning microscopy
title_fullStr Sperm imaging utilizing terahertz near-field scanning microscopy
title_full_unstemmed Sperm imaging utilizing terahertz near-field scanning microscopy
title_short Sperm imaging utilizing terahertz near-field scanning microscopy
title_sort sperm imaging utilizing terahertz near field scanning microscopy
topic Terahertz
sperm
near-field
imaging
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/13102818.2025.2491500
work_keys_str_mv AT zhenchunyu spermimagingutilizingterahertznearfieldscanningmicroscopy
AT chengyaopeng spermimagingutilizingterahertznearfieldscanningmicroscopy
AT shunbai spermimagingutilizingterahertznearfieldscanningmicroscopy
AT yuanqizhao spermimagingutilizingterahertznearfieldscanningmicroscopy
AT yangyangsi spermimagingutilizingterahertznearfieldscanningmicroscopy
AT wenbingzhang spermimagingutilizingterahertznearfieldscanningmicroscopy