Optical microscopy is a crucial tool for biomedical research and medical diagnostics, offering structural and functional insights into biological specimens in a non-invasive and non-ionizing manner. However, it faces significant challenges when imaging small, weakly scattering objects (e.g. single cells) embedded in complex biological tissues, which induce optical aberrations and scattering. This issue becomes even more critical for samples that cannot be labelled or do not naturally emit light.
With the SQIMIC project, I take a major conceptual leap beyond the current paradigm by combining quantum imaging and light structuring to develop an innovative quantum "toolbox" for microscopy. This novel approach builds on my groundbreaking work demonstrating that wavefront shaping techniques - originally developed for laser light manipulation - can also be applied to higher orders of optical coherence. This enables precise control over quantum properties of light, such as entanglement.
Using this strategy, I explore genuine quantum imaging concepts, including quantum holography, quantum interference, and quantum illumination, to overcome the limitations of label-free classical microscopy. My goal is to image complex biological samples with unprecedented resolution, improved contrast, minimized aberrations, and reduced noise. Ultimately, I aim to create a quantum-enhanced microscope with exceptional performance, capable of imaging biological specimens without labeling or relying on their inherent light-emitting properties.
To achieve this, I have divided the work into three interconnected work packages (WPs):
• WP1: Quantum light structuring toolbox: Building on the ability to manipulate second-order coherence through wavefront shaping, I develop 5 quantum imaging methods based on entangled photon pairs (i.e. 5 distinct objectives). These methods aim to enhance classical imaging performance (resolution, noise resistance, and speed) and create new modalities.
• WP2: Development of quantum camera technology: Quantum imaging relies on the ability to capture quantum properties of light. I develop a fast imaging method to measure photon coincidences across multiple spatial locations, leveraging state-of-the-art single-photon sensitive cameras, FPGA circuits, and computational techniques.
• WP3: Construction of a quantum-enhanced microscope: This work package, starting in the middle of the third year, will integrate the advancements from WP1 and WP2 to build a practical quantum-enhanced microscope.
