About the project
This project will explore and develop advanced photon entangled source to realize quantum enhanced microscopy imaging application.
Quantum enhanced microscopy imaging offers advancements of greater resolution, higher sensitivity and faster speed than classical optical imaging method, and therefore is a promising next-generation imaging technique for biomedical research.
Optical microscopy remains one of the most rapidly developing technologies in scientific research as it allows visualizing biology in its physiological context. However, current optical microscopy technologies are generally based on near-infrared or visible light, which remain largely inadequate in coping with label-free or deep-penetration imaging requirements.
On the other hand, the mid-infrared spectral region covers distinctive rotational and vibrational resonant frequencies of specific molecules; this spectral fingerprint can be used as a contrast mechanism for mid-infrared imaging, circumventing the need for labelling. Such non-invasive and label-free imaging techniques are especially important for bioimaging procedures, as they permit the observation of largely unaltered living tissues.
One of the main problems in mid-infrared microscopy is the detection of signals for imaging due to the lack of readily available high-performance detectors in the mid-infrared.
The unique properties of quantum physics could help solve such problems in a meaningful way named quantum enhanced microscopy. This breakthrough technology utilizes entangled photons rather than classical light sources and allows one photon to pass through the imaged object while image information is revealed exclusively with the photon that does not interact with the object. A pair of entangled photons (at different wavelengths) is used with one photon in the mid-infrared acting as a probe and the other in the near-infrared acting as a sensor. The mid-infrared photon facilitates deep penetration and distinctive characterization while the near-infrared photon allows to use readily available high-performance detectors.
This project will develop advanced laser techniques to generate highly efficient entangled photons for quantum enhanced microscopy.
