Computational absorption and reflection studies of normal human skin at 0.45 THz

Zoltan Vilagosh; Alireza Lajevardipour; Andrew W Wood

doi:10.1364/BOE.377424

Computational absorption and reflection studies of normal human skin at 0.45 THz

Biomed Opt Express. 2019 Dec 23;11(1):417-431. doi: 10.1364/BOE.377424. eCollection 2020 Jan 1.

Authors

Zoltan Vilagosh^{1

2}, Alireza Lajevardipour^{1

2}, Andrew W Wood^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia.
² Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research, Australia.

Abstract

Applications using terahertz (THz) frequency radiation will inevitably lead to increased human exposure. The power density and specific absorption rate (SAR) simulations of thin skin at 0.45 THz show the bulk of the energy being absorbed in the upper stratum spinosum, and the maximal temperature rise is in the lower stratum spinosum. There are regions of SAR increase of 100% above the local average at the stratum spinosum/stratum basale boundary. The dead Stratum Corneum layer protects underlying tissues in thick skin. Reflection studies suggest that acute angles and the use of polarised incident radiation may enhance the assessment of diabetic neuropathy.