"You could call this infrared imaging without an infrared camera," said Professor Jimmy Xu of Brown University, highlighting the groundbreaking nature of a new imaging technique. Developed by Brown University engineers, this novel microscopic imaging technique utilizes quantum entanglement to capture 3D images, potentially solving the long-standing problem of phase wrapping.
The team, led by undergraduate students Moe (Yameng) Zhang and Wenyu Liu, presented their work at the recent Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics. Their concept employs two light spectra: infrared light to illuminate the target and visible light entangled with the infrared to image it. This advances microscopic imaging by capturing both the intensity and phase of light, creating true holographic images.
The key innovation lies in using two sets of entangled photons at different wavelengths. This creates a much longer synthetic wavelength, significantly increasing the measurable depth range. The team successfully imaged a 1.5-millimeter metal "B," demonstrating the potential of quantum entanglement for high-fidelity 3D imaging, particularly for biological materials.
This approach offers a significant advantage by using infrared light for probing while detecting in the visible range. This allows the use of standard, inexpensive silicon detectors. The technique holds promise for biological imaging, as infrared wavelengths can penetrate skin and are safe for delicate structures.