THz radiation from free electron lasers and its potential for cell and tissue studies

Published 17 October 2002 Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd
, , Citation Eckart Grosse 2002 Phys. Med. Biol. 47 3755 DOI 10.1088/0031-9155/47/21/312

0031-9155/47/21/3755

Abstract

Free electron lasers (FELs) allow the generation of electromagnetic radiation (EM) in a wide field of frequencies (respectively wavelengths) through the proper adjustment of the energy of an electron beam and the field configuration of a magnetic undulator passed by this beam. Terahertz (THz) radiation covers the region of the electromagnetic spectrum between approximately 0.3 and 30 THz and thus can be considered a continuation of the optical spectrum beyond the far infrared (IR). The very interesting results obtained from various studies of the interaction between IR radiation and biomolecules or tissue have stimulated increasing interest in the study of biological systems using THz radiation. This paper points out what role modern FELs can play in this research.

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10.1088/0031-9155/47/21/312