Experimental Characterization of Biological Tissue Dielectric Properties through THz Time-Domain Spectroscopy

TL;DR

This paper experimentally measures the dielectric properties of biological tissue using THz time-domain spectroscopy, providing valuable data for biomedical applications and intra-body nanosensor network design.

Contribution

It offers one of the first extended-frequency datasets of biological tissue dielectric properties using THz spectroscopy, aiding realistic channel modeling.

Findings

Strong absorption at low THz frequencies due to water content

Frequency-dependent dispersion observed at higher frequencies

Narrowband transmission features identified at higher frequencies

Abstract

Terahertz (THz) radiation provides a non-ionizing, highly sensitive probe of the dielectric properties of biological tissues. In this study, we present a comprehensive experimental characterization of dielectric properties using pork skin tissue, a widely used surrogate for human tissue, as a biological sample. Measurements are conducted employing THz time-domain spectroscopy in the 0.1-11 THz frequency range with photoconductive antennas for both signal generation and detection. Frequency-dependent refractive indices, absorption, and complex permittivity are extracted from transmitted time-domain signals. Our results confirm strong absorption and low transmittance at low THz frequencies due to water content, while highlighting frequency-dependent dispersion and narrowband transmission features at higher frequencies. This work provides one of the first extended-frequency datasets of biological tissue dielectric properties, supporting realistic channel modeling for the design and development of intra-body nanosensor networks in the THz band.