# Prospects for terahertz imaging the human skin cancer with the help of gold-nanoparticles-based terahertz-to-infrared converter

## TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel terahertz-to-infrared converter device using gold nanoparticles for real-time imaging of human skin cancer, enabling non-invasive detection with standard IR cameras.

## Contribution

It introduces a new design for a THz-to-IR converter using gold nanoparticles, facilitating real-time skin cancer imaging in vivo or in vitro.

## Key findings

- Design of the THz-to-IR converter with gold nanoparticles.
- Operational parameters for in vivo and in vitro imaging.
- Potential for real-time, non-invasive skin cancer detection.

## Abstract

The design is suggested, and possible operation parameters are discussed, of an instrument to inspect a skin cancer tumour in the terahertz (THz) range, transferring the image into the infrared (IR) and making it visible with the help of standard IR camera. The central element of the device is the THz-to-IR converter, a Teflon or silicon film matrix with embedded 8.5 nm diameter gold nanoparticles. The use of external THz source for irradiating the biological tissue sample is presumed. The converter's temporal characteristics enable its performance in a real-time scale. The details of design suited for the operation in transmission mode (in vitro) or on the human skin in reflection mode {in vivo) are specified.