Vahid Salari, Yingwen Zhang, Sepideh Ahmadi, Dilip Paneru, Duncan England, Shabir Barzanjeh, Robert Boyd, Ebrahim Karimi, Christoph Simon, Daniel Oblak
quant-phphysics.opticsSubmitted Nov 6, 2025• Announced Nov 7, 2025• 0 citations
Quantum imaging is emerging as a transformative approach for biomedical applications, applying nonclassical properties of light, such as entanglement, squeezing, and quantum correlations, to overcome fundamental limits of conventional techniques. These methods promise superior spatial resolution, enhanced signal-to-noise ratios, improved phase sensitivity, and reduced radiation dose, for potentially safer and more precise imaging for delicate biological samples. Here, we present an overview of quantum optical biomedical imaging technologies as well as quantum-inspired imaging methods, including quantum optical coherence tomography, quantum optical microscopy, ghost imaging, multi-parameter quantum imaging, and imaging with quantum-grade cameras. We describe the operating principles, biomedical applications, and unique advantages of each approach, along with the specific challenges for their translation into real-life practice. This review aims to guide future research toward advancing quantum imaging from experimental demonstrations to impactful biomedical tools.
Quantum imaging is emerging as a transformative approach for biomedical applications, applying nonclassical properties of light, such as entanglement, squeezing, and quantum correlations, to overcome fundamental limits of conventional techniques. These methods promise superior spatial resolution, enhanced signal-to-noise ratios, improved phase sensitivity, and reduced radiation dose, for potentially safer and more precise imaging for delicate biological samples. Here, we present an overview of quantum optical biomedical imaging technologies as well as quantum-inspired imaging methods, including quantum optical coherence tomography, quantum optical microscopy, ghost imaging, multi-parameter quantum imaging, and imaging with quantum-grade cameras. We describe the operating principles, biomedical applications, and unique advantages of each approach, along with the specific challenges for their translation into real-life practice. This review aims to guide future research toward advancing quantum imaging from experimental demonstrations to impactful biomedical tools.
Medical imaging, a cornerstone of modern diagnostics that underpins early disease detection and personalized therapy, continues to confront fundamental physical limitations inherent to conventional modalities, including suboptimal sensitivity and specificity, limited resolution, and ionizing radiation risks. Quantum imaging, leveraging principles such as entanglement, superposition, and quantum sensing, has emerged as a transformative paradigm with the potential to transcend these limitations. This review systematically summarizes the physical principles, technological advancements, and major clinical applications of quantum technologies in medical imaging. We elaborate on several cutting-edge modalities, including quantum dot probes for targeted imaging and surgical navigation, wearable magnetoencephalography facilitated by optically pumped magnetometers, quantum-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging with nanoscale resolution, quantum optical coherence tomography with dispersion cancellation, photon-counting computed tomography for superior spectral imaging, and nuclear medicine imaging that can visualize the molecular microenvironment. Additionally, the roles of quantum computing and quantum artificial intelligence in accelerating and optimizing the image analysis workflow are also discussed. Furthermore, we analyze the technical bottlenecks and translational barriers that currently hinder the widespread clinical implementation of these emerging technologies. Finally, we outline promising future research directions to accelerate clinical translation, underscoring the transformative potential of quantum medical imaging to advance precision diagnostics and personalized medicine.
Quantum-enhanced metrology techniques offer ultra-precise timekeeping, allowing for breakthroughs in navigation systems, global positioning, medical and Biological imaging. Quantum metrology, a core application of quantum technologies, leverages non-classical states of light (such as entanglement and squeezing) to enhance measurement precision, sensitivity, and resolution beyond the classical limits, particularly the shot-noise limit. Its application to bio imaging and microscopy offers significant advantages for studying delicate biological specimens, which are often susceptible to damage from the intense light typically required by conventional high-resolution methods. The abstract highlights the potential of quantum properties of light to revolutionize bio imaging by providing a non-invasive, highly sensitive, and high-resolution platform for observing biological processes at fundamental scales.
Over the past few decades, medical imaging has revolutionized the way clinicians diagnose, monitor, and treat diseases. However, despite significant advancements in imaging resolution, contrast, and computational reconstruction, several challenges remain unresolved — especially in terms of early-stage detection, noise reduction, and functional imaging at the cellular or molecular level. In recent years, quantum physics has emerged as a disruptive force with the potential to drastically enhance medical imaging technologies through the application of its fundamental principles such as quantum superposition, entanglement, tunneling, and spin dynamics. This research explores the intersection of quantum mechanics and medical imaging engineering, with a primary focus on how quantum phenomena are being utilized to elevate the performance and capability of key imaging modalities like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and optical-based quantum imaging. The study presents an in-depth analysis of how quantum concepts are applied in practice — such as the role of spin alignment and magnetic resonance in MRI, the use of entangled photon pairs in PET scanning, and the integration of quantum dots in high-contrast optical imaging. Beyond existing technologies, the paper investigates cutting-edge developments including quantum-enhanced sensors, quantum computing for real-time image reconstruction, and the promise of quantum artificial intelligence in image interpretation. By analyzing both theoretical frameworks and experimental findings, the study highlights the significant advantages that quantum technologies bring — such as improved spatial resolution, higher signal-to-noise ratio, and reduced patient exposure to radiation. Despite its promise, the integration of quantum physics into medical imaging is not without challenges. The research discusses limitations such as system decoherence, scalability, clinical costs, and the gap between laboratory research and clinical deployment. In conclusion, this paper argues that while still emerging, the application of quantum physics holds transformative potential for the future of diagnostic imaging, and could ultimately lead to more accurate, efficient, and personalized healthcare.
Application of quantum imaging in biology In biology, one of the main challenges is achieving a balance between high precision and minimal invasiveness in measurements. With cutting-edge techniques, the primary limitations to experimental accuracy often stem not from device-related noise but from fundamental physical constraints. Since nature is the underlying source of these constraints, it makes sense to go to quantum mechanics, the most basic theory of matter, for a solution. Improved measurement performance may be possible through the application of quantum effects, particularly those pertaining to coherence. It offers useful tools that, at the very least, offer interesting technical solutions even when they don't fully display cohesive behaviors. One of the primary applications of quantum technologies is quantum metrology, which uses the non-classical state of light to measure physical properties with great resolution and sensitivity. For biological applications, the quantum state of light may be utilized for precision enhancement and quantum noise reduction. This explains how quantum metrology, and particularly quantum imaging, can be used to enhance picture quality, measure shifts in quantum scales in biological systems, and boost imaging precision and resolution using quantum light sources, devices, and protocols. In this study, we give a summary of the possible uses of quantum technology in biology and medicine. This review presents a comprehensive overview of how quantum technologies can be applied in biology and medicine. It also explores the latest developments in quantum biological imaging, quantum microscopy, and quantum materials, while discussing the challenges and opportunities these emerging technologies bring.
Quantum imaging is an emerging field based on quantum mechanics and imaging technology, capable of unique capabilities in resolution, sensitivity, and information processing. An extensive review of the concepts, methods, and uses of quantum imaging is given in this chapter. The main ideas of quantum mechanics that are relevant to imaging, including superposition, entanglement, and quantum measurement, are introduced in this chapter. Following this, the various quantum imaging techniques, including quantum entanglement imaging, ghost imaging, and quantum lithography, illuminating their operational mechanisms and advantages over classical methods, are explored. The role of advanced photonic systems, single-photon detectors, and quantum dots in enhancing image quality are discussed. Additionally, the incorporation of quantum computing and machine learning with quantum imaging is examined, highlighting how these interdisciplinary approaches are pushing the boundaries of what can be visualized and analysed. Quantum imaging applications are varied, groundbreaking, and innovative, ranging from medical diagnostics and biological imaging to quantum communication and fundamental physics research. By harnessing the exclusive properties of quantum states, these applications achieve higher precision and new capabilities that classical imaging techniques cannot match. The challenges and future directions of quantum imaging, considering both the technical hurdles and the potential for groundbreaking discoveries, are discussed as well. In a nutshell, the chapter aims to offer the readers an in-depth insight into quantum imaging, its current state, and its future prospects by providing a holistic view of how quantum imaging is composed to revolutionize various scientific and technological fields.
Quantum correlations, especially time correlations, are crucial in ghost imaging for significantly reducing the background noise on the one hand while increasing the imaging resolution. Moreover, the time correlations serve as a critical reference, distinguishing between signal and noise, which in turn enable clear visualization of biological samples. Quantum imaging also addresses the challenge involved in imaging delicate biological structures with minimal photon exposure and sample damage. Here, we explore the recent progress in quantum correlation-based imaging, notably its impact on secure imaging and remote sensing protocols as well as on biological imaging. We also exploit the quantum characteristics of heralded single-photon sources (HSPS) combined with decoy state methods for secure imaging. This method uses Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) principles to reduce measurement uncertainties and protect data integrity. It is highly effective in low-photon number regimes for producing high-quality, noise-reduced images. The versatility of decoy state methods with WCSs (WCS) is also discussed, highlighting their suitability for scenarios requiring higher photon numbers. We emphasize the dual advantages of these techniques: improving image quality through noise reduction and enhancing data security with quantum encryption, suggesting significant potential for quantum imaging in various applications, from delicate biological imaging to secure quantum imaging and communication.