Engineers at Brown University have developed a new imaging technique called Quantum Multi-Wavelength Holography, which utilizes quantum entanglement to produce high-resolution 3D images of microscopic objects. This method employs infrared light to illuminate the target and captures images using visible light that is quantum-entangled with the infrared probe, enabling the reconstruction of both the intensity and phase of light waves to create detailed holographic images.
Traditional imaging techniques often face challenges in accurately capturing the depth of microscopic structures. The Quantum Multi-Wavelength Holography technique addresses this by using two sets of entangled photons with slightly different wavelengths, effectively creating a longer synthetic wavelength. This approach significantly expands the measurable depth range, allowing for precise imaging of deeper structures and overcoming issues like phase wrapping that can occur in conventional methods.
In a demonstration of this technique, the researchers successfully created a holographic image of a small metallic letter 'B', serving as a proof-of-concept for generating high-fidelity 3D images using quantum entanglement. This advancement holds promise for applications in biological imaging, as infrared light can penetrate delicate tissues, and the use of visible light detectors makes the technology more accessible and cost-effective.
The research was presented at the Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics and was supervised by Professor Jimmy Xu and senior research associate Petr Moroshkin from Brown's School of Engineering. The work was funded by the Department of Defense and the National Science Foundation.