Terahertz's silent revolution in physics, engineering, and life science: Beyond the spectrum

Abstract

Terahertz technology is revolutionizing photonics, biomedicine, and communications by merging non-ionizing radiation with molecular sensitivity and material penetration. Advances in metamaterials, adaptive antennas, and AI-driven systems address historical limitations in emission efficiency and atmospheric attenuation, enabling secure high-capacity networks and precision biomedical applications. Reconfigurable beamforming and hybrid channel models enhance wireless reliability, while ultra-sensitive biosensors and neuromodulation techniques pioneer non-invasive diagnostics and therapies for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Terahertz’s dual role in molecular sensing and neural modulation establishes closed-loop “detect-treat” paradigms, bridging material science and neuroscience. Challenges remain in optimizing clinical application and hybrid system scalability, yet its capacity to probe carrier dynamics, protein interactions, and neural circuits positions Terahertz as a universal platform for 6G networks, personalized medicine, and brain-machine interfaces. By unifying physics-aware engineering with biological insights, terahertz technology transcends traditional boundaries, offering transformative solutions for healthcare, secure connectivity, and industrial innovation.