Quantum microscopy based on Hong-Ou-Mandel interference

Ndagano, B. , Defienne, H. , Branford, D., Shah, Y. D. , Lyons, A. , Westerberg, N. , Gauger, E. M. and Faccio, D. (2022) Quantum microscopy based on Hong-Ou-Mandel interference. Nature Photonics, 16(5), pp. 384-389. (doi: 10.1038/s41566-022-00980-6)

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Abstract

Hong–Ou–Mandel (HOM) interference—the bunching of indistinguishable photons at a beamsplitter—is a staple of quantum optics and lies at the heart of many quantum sensing approaches and recent optical quantum computers. Here we report a full-field, scan-free quantum imaging technique that exploits HOM interference to reconstruct the surface depth profile of transparent samples. We demonstrate the ability to retrieve images with micrometre-scale depth features with photon flux as small as seven photon pairs per frame. Using a single-photon avalanche diode camera, we measure both bunched and anti-bunched photon-pair distributions at the output of an HOM interferometer, which are combined to provide a lower-noise image of the sample. This approach demonstrates the possibility of HOM microscopy as a tool for the label-free imaging of transparent samples in the very low photon regime.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Defienne, Dr Hugo and Ndagano, Mr Bienvenu and Faccio, Professor Daniele and Shah, Dr Yash Diptesh and Westerberg, Dr Niclas and Lyons, Dr Ashley
Authors: Ndagano, B., Defienne, H., Branford, D., Shah, Y. D., Lyons, A., Westerberg, N., Gauger, E. M., and Faccio, D.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Nature Photonics
Publisher:Nature Research
ISSN:1749-4885
ISSN (Online):1749-4893
Published Online:11 April 2022
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2022 The Authors
First Published:First published in Nature Photonics 16(5): 384-389
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy
Related URLs:
Data DOI:10.5525/gla.researchdata.1241

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
190841UK Quantum Technology Hub in Enhanced Quantum ImagingMiles PadgettEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/M01326X/1P&S - Physics & Astronomy
301688Nano-scale imaging with Hong-Ou-Mandel InterferometryDaniele FaccioEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/R030081/1P&S - Physics & Astronomy
305153RAEng Chair Emerging TechnologiesDaniele FaccioRoyal Academy of Engineering (RAE)CiET1819/20P&S - Physics & Astronomy
305457Adaptive Optics for Quantum CommunicationDaniele FaccioEuropean Commission (EC)840958P&S - Physics & Astronomy
310252Reshaping the environment of photon pair productionNiclas WesterbergRoyal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 (RCEX1851)RF-2020-100417P&S - Physics & Astronomy