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Quantum-enhanced on-chip interference microscopy

Objective

The proposed project aims at developing a new on-chip differential interference contrast microscope based on an unconventional birefringence lens-free configuration, the latest quantum sources and single-photon image sensors. The Q-MIC platform will reach unprecedented sensitivities (a few atomic layers, of the order of 1 Å) over large field-of-view (tens of mm2) in the low light (single-photon) regime. This unique combination of features will allow, on the one hand, the first demonstration of a practical quantum device for imaging, while providing, on the other hand, a platform for fundamentally new lines of re-search in quantum metrology, including the interaction of quantum states and bio-species. It is also an important goal of the project to facilitate that the quantum enhanced on-chip interference microscope be built with consumer components, especially thanks to the project’s effort in photonic and electronic inte-gration of entangled photon sources and single photon avalanche diode image sensor arrays. This would extend the impact well beyond the scientific interests and lead to portable, high throughput, non-invasive, and label free sensing of transparent objects, such as cells, micro-organisms, viruses and proteins. For ex-ample, microarrays of biomarkers with millions of spots could be read in a single shot, with no need of fluorescence marking. Other applications include the detection of small particles in the microelectronics industry and in-line quality control of transparent substrates for roll-to-roll production of flexible optoe-lectronic devices. The Q-MIC consortium includes four academic and two industrial partners with a high degree of complementarity that are at the forefront of their fields, including photonic devices (ICFO), optical engineering (Fraunhofer) quantum science and technology (OEAW, UoG), single-photon detectors (POLIMI and MPD), microscopy, and equipment for life science and semiconductor processing (CZ).

Call for proposal

H2020-FETOPEN-2016-2017

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Sub call

H2020-FETOPEN-1-2016-2017

Coordinator

FUNDACIO INSTITUT DE CIENCIES FOTONIQUES
Net EU contribution
€ 750 367,10
Address
Avinguda Carl Friedrich Gauss 3
08860 Castelldefels
Spain

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Region
Este Cataluña Barcelona
Activity type
Research Organisations
Other funding
€ 0,00

Participants (6)

OESTERREICHISCHE AKADEMIE DER WISSENSCHAFTEN
Austria
Net EU contribution
€ 358 595,40
Other funding
€ 0,00
POLITECNICO DI MILANO
Italy
Net EU contribution
€ 491 808,75
Address
Piazza Leonardo Da Vinci 32
20133 Milano

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Region
Nord-Ovest Lombardia Milano
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW
United Kingdom
Net EU contribution
€ 452 987,50
Address
University Avenue
G12 8QQ Glasgow

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Region
West Central Scotland Glasgow City
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
MICRO PHOTON DEVICES SRL
Italy
Net EU contribution
€ 425 833,75
Address
Via Waltraud Gebert Deeg 3/f
39100 Bolzano

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Nord-Est Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano/Bozen Bolzano-Bozen
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00
CARL ZEISS AG
Germany
Net EU contribution
€ 132 765,00
Address
Carl Zeiss Strasse 22
73447 Oberkochen

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Region
Baden-Württemberg Stuttgart Ostalbkreis
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00
FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
Germany
Net EU contribution
€ 227 770,00
Address
Hansastrasse 27c
80686 Munchen

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Region
Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Research Organisations
Other funding
€ 0,00