A study published in the international journal Biomedical Optics Express comprehensively demonstrates the potential of quantum imaging techniques using entangled photons to simultaneously achieve minimal invasiveness (non-destructiveness) and extreme precision when observing biological specimens. It argues that illuminating biological specimens with non-classical states of light, such as entangled photon pairs, can physically block uncorrelated classical background noise and exponentially improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). By utilizing quantum correlations and squeezed light states, it transcends the diffraction limit of conventional optical systems, offering unprecedented resolution to visualize delicate biological structures in their natural state. [Quantum Biology Society] Achieving a perfect balance between minimal invasiveness and extreme precision in biological measurements has long been a challenge in the scientific community. Conventional classical optical imaging techniques required intense illumination to obtain high resolution, which inevitably led to cellular damage and ran into the barrier of physical diffraction limits. A recent study published in the international journal Biomedical Optics Express, titled "Application of quantum imaging in biology," comprehensively highlights how quantum imaging technology based on non-classical light breaks through these classical limitations. A joint research team consisting of Hoda Lotfipour, Hassan Sobhani, Mohamad Taghi Dejpasand, and Morteza Sasani Ghamsari from the Photonics and Quantum Technologies Research School at the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (NSTRI) in Tehran, Iran, published this disruptive review study. ■ Quantum Entanglement Perfectly Blocking Noise The researchers focused on the potential of quantum metrology, which introduces non-classical states of light—particularly methods utilizing entangled photon pairs—into biological imaging. When extremely delicate and fragile biological specimens are illuminated with light in entangled quantum states, significant signals can be precisely sorted out through the strong quantum correlations between photons. Through this process, classical background noise that occurs randomly and independently of the entanglement state is physically blocked, ultimately leading to a remarkable, exponential improvement in the system's signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). ■ Extreme Resolution Without Destructive Sampling This innovative, non-invasive quantum microscopy technique opens the path to visualizing living organisms in their natural state without burning or damaging specimens with intense light energy. Furthermore, by actively exploiting quantum correlations and squeezed light states, it easily surpasses the diffraction limits and shot-noise limits of conventional microscopes, making it possible to observe the minute dynamics of intermolecular interactions. This study eloquently demonstrates that quantum imaging technology, which provides unprecedented ultra-high resolution without the risk of destructive sampling, is the core key that will fundamentally shift the paradigm of next-generation biology and precision medicine research. #QuantumImaging #BiologicalImaging #QuantumEntanglement #NonInvasiveImaging #QuantumMicroscopy #PhotonEntanglement #OvercomingNoiseLimits #QuantumBiology #Biophysics #KoreanQuantumBiologySociety https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12339294/
A study published in the international journal Biomedical Optics Express comprehensively demonstrates the potential of quantum imaging techniques using entangled photons to simultaneously achieve minimal invasiveness (non-destructiveness) and extreme precision when observing biological specimens. It argues that illuminating biological specimens with non-classical states of light, such as entangled photon pairs, can physically block uncorrelated classical background noise and exponentially improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). By utilizing quantum correlations and squeezed light states, it transcends the diffraction limit of conventional optical systems, offering unprecedented resolution to visualize delicate biological structures in their natural state. [Quantum Biology Society] Achieving a perfect balance between minimal invasiveness and extreme precision in biological measurements has long been a challenge in the scientific community. Conventional classical optical imaging techniques required intense illumination to obtain high resolution, which inevitably led to cellular damage and ran into the barrier of physical diffraction limits. A recent study published in the international journal Biomedical Optics Express, titled "Application of quantum imaging in biology," comprehensively highlights how quantum imaging technology based on non-classical light breaks through these classical limitations. A joint research team consisting of Hoda Lotfipour, Hassan Sobhani, Mohamad Taghi Dejpasand, and Morteza Sasani Ghamsari from the Photonics and Quantum Technologies Research School at the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (NSTRI) in Tehran, Iran, published this disruptive review study. ■ Quantum Entanglement Perfectly Blocking Noise The researchers focused on the potential of quantum metrology, which introduces non-classical states of light—particularly methods utilizing entangled photon pairs—into biological imaging. When extremely delicate and fragile biological specimens are illuminated with light in entangled quantum states, significant signals can be precisely sorted out through the strong quantum correlations between photons. Through this process, classical background noise that occurs randomly and independently of the entanglement state is physically blocked, ultimately leading to a remarkable, exponential improvement in the system's signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). ■ Extreme Resolution Without Destructive Sampling This innovative, non-invasive quantum microscopy technique opens the path to visualizing living organisms in their natural state without burning or damaging specimens with intense light energy. Furthermore, by actively exploiting quantum correlations and squeezed light states, it easily surpasses the diffraction limits and shot-noise limits of conventional microscopes, making it possible to observe the minute dynamics of intermolecular interactions. This study eloquently demonstrates that quantum imaging technology, which provides unprecedented ultra-high resolution without the risk of destructive sampling, is the core key that will fundamentally shift the paradigm of next-generation biology and precision medicine research. #QuantumImaging #BiologicalImaging #QuantumEntanglement #NonInvasiveImaging #QuantumMicroscopy #PhotonEntanglement #OvercomingNoiseLimits #QuantumBiology #Biophysics #KoreanQuantumBiologySociety https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12339294/
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.
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.
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.
Entangled photons enable quantum imaging to surpass classical limits in resolution and noise. To address long-standing challenges in quantum imaging (such as low signal-to-noise, limited resolvable pixels, and difficulty imaging biological samples), we present imaging by coincidence from entanglement (ICE). ICE leverages spatial and polarization entanglement to enhance resolution, support biological imaging, and quantify birefringence properties. Polarization entanglement enables remote, quantitative measurement of both phase retardation and principal axis orientation without changing input polarization. ICE achieves up to 25-fold stray light suppression relative to classical imaging. We further introduce wide-field quantum microscopy by coincidence (QMC) using symmetric, balanced paths to achieve Heisenberg-limited super-resolution, with up to 155-fold suppression of stray light and improved speed and contrast-to-noise ratio. Together, QMC and ICE represent significant advances in quantum bioimaging, offering low-light, high-resolution, and noninvasive imaging capabilities with potential impact in life sciences and remote sensing.
Laser confocal imaging technology has become an important analytical tool in biological, biomedical, and materials science research, offering high imaging precision. However, this technology still has some limitations, especially in imaging biological samples (such as living tissues or cells), where the high intensity of the laser may cause irreversible photodamage. It has been proposed that quantum entangled light sources, instead of laser, can be used to avoid this drawback. In this paper, we experimentally demonstrated a quantum confocal imaging technology employing entangled photon sources with high brightness and stability. In the experiment, we obtained the point-by-point scanning imaging of a targeted area, in which a resolution of 3.91 µm is achieved and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) degradation is suppressed. We also theoretically analyzed the potential of quantum confocal imaging to improve SNR performance in photodamage-free imaging. Our results could widen the application fields of confocal imaging technology and pave the way for applying the quantum technology in biological imaging.
Quantum metrology allows high sensitivity measurements to proceed with a lower light intensity than classically possible [1]. An important frontier for this technology is in biological measurements, where photochemical interactions often disturb biological processes and can damage the specimen [2]. Here we report the first demonstration of biological measurement with precision surpassing the quantum noise limit [3]. This was enabled through the development of a new microscopy system which extended previous methods used to track the motion of highly reflective mirrors with non-classical light to measurements of microscopic particles with non-paraxial fields (see Fig. 1). Biological dynamics in the critical Hz-kHz frequency range were made accessible by applying a quantum optical lock-in technique for the first time. This straightforward technique allowed quantum enhancement over a frequency range which reached as low as the range reported for squeezed light sources developed for gravity wave interferometers [4].