Near field sub-THz array sensor for cell detection

Spectra of complex dielectric constant Terahertz (THz) and sub-THz range, corresponding to picosecond dynamics of the hydrogen bond network, gives us information of water molecule dynamics: rotation mode and vibration of bulk water. HeLa cell cultured on a silicon prism was measured and then analyzed by two reflection interface model and Debye- Lorentz function. Finally fraction of hydration and dynamics of bulk water molecules were estimated. Near field sub-THz array sensor in CMOS circuit for cell detection was developed as a tool to collect quantitative cellular property. More than 1400 number of LC oscillators designed at 60 GHz are arranged in 2 dimensions periodically, and resonance frequency of each oscillator shifts by dielectric target. In simulation and experiment, frequency shifts of the CMOS sensor agreed well with dielectric constant change of water and solution on the surface. Growth of bacterial colonies was monitored successfully. Moreover, significant difference of frequency shifts was demonstrated among NHDF and HeLa, normal and cancer human cell respectively, and liquid medium.