Terahertz (THz) radiation occupies a large portion of the electromagnetic spectrum between the infrared and microwave bands and is a developing frontier in imaging science and technology. In contrast to the relatively well-developed techniques for imaging at microwave and optical frequencies, however, there has been only limited basic research, new initiatives, and advanced technology developments in the THz band. This invention is directed to a THz wave emission microscope, including a femptosecond laser and a biased scanning tunneling microscope tip, that has the potential to provide microscopic images of field induced emission spectra with nanometer spatial resolution and spectroscopic information in infrared frequency range. This device has the potential to allow exploration of the rich spectroscopic signatures of molecular vibrations, rotations, and other low-energy transitions in microscopic sensing and imaging applications.