Quantum diffractive Nanoscale Microscopy

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Milutin Kovacev
• Subject Area: Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 530098639

The QUINS project will exploit a novel non-classical source of light at extreme wavelengths based on high harmonic generation in semiconductor to develop a correlation-based quantum microscope. The harmonic emission comes as a frequency comb of N-entangled photons with frequencies extending from the IR to the deep-UV. We will exploit entangled pairs from non-denegerated photons selected from this comb. Ultrafast control over the generated quantum states will mitigate decoherence. Controlled coherent states at extreme wavelengths for advanced quantum imaging protocols will be produced. QUINS technology will develop new routes in quantum imaging (QI) with a unique advantage of transferring the sensing and resolution benefit from one spectral range to another one. This concept will be illustrated with NIR/VIS pair microscopy that will allow sensing infected cells tissue. In the future, our quantum microscope will enable non-destructive and non-invasive imaging in biology and medicine. The advantage of quantum sensitivity is that it makes weak-field imaging possible, avoiding damage to delicate samples such as living cells. We will perform tests with cells from Medical Hospital Hanover. To achieve these goals, our French-German consortium covers a wide range of expertise ranging from ultrafast laser, attosecond science, strong field quantum theory, QI and detectors to advanced optical design. Finally, several technological breakthroughs will give rise to exploitation: 1) a quantum spectrometer demonstrator allowing us to certify entanglement between NIR and VIS harmonic photons will be realized 2) a high contrast high resolution quantum microscope will be validated on living scattering media as a proof of concept.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: France
• Major Instrumentation: LINCam detector system
• Instrumentation Group: 5820 Elektronenvervielfacher
• Cooperation Partners: Dr. Hugo Defienne; Privatdozent Dr. Hamed Merdji
• Co-Investigator: Professor Dr. Alexander Heisterkamp