Quantum microscopy using spatially correlated photons

Bienvenu Ndagano

INRS-EMT 

Abstract: Exploiting spatial correlations between photons is a fundamental in quantum imaging.  Correlation-based imaging, a scheme whereby one photon from a pair interacts with an object before reaching the detection system. The joint measurement of the two photons then reveals the image of the object. Though the image reconstruction was initially implemented using computational techniques that employ a single pixel with no spatial resolution on its own, modern implementations can make use of arrays of single-photon sensitive detectors. Novel imaging sensors such as arrays of single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) have enabled two- and three-dimensional imaging, the latter being enabled by the high temporal resolution. Furthermore, their high-frame rate, compared to rival technology, dramatically reduces the acquisition time required to spatially characterise quantum states and form a correlation image. In this talk, we will provide an overview of the recent developments in 2D, and 3D correlation-based imaging using photon pairs and enabled by SPAD cameras. Particularly, we will focus on optical designs geared towards applications in microscopy.

Bio: Prof. Ndagano is an early-career researcher that has recently been hired at INRS-EMT where he holds the MEIE chair in quantum photonics. His mission is to develop novel research avenues in quantum sensing and communication. Prof. Ndagano has 10 years of experience, in both academia and industry, working on tools and techniques to harness quantum features of light for sensing and communication; this includes engineering, control and measurement of quantum states and their correlations. He holds a PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa where his research focused on structured light exhibiting classical entanglement correlations, as well as their applications to classical and quantum communication. Prof. Ndagano went on to hold a research associate position at the University of Glasgow where he developed an expertise in quantum imaging using SPAD cameras. Most notably, his research led to the development of a proof-of-principle quantum microscope enabled by quantum interferometry. His last stop before joining INRS was at the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics in Glasgow, developing quantum technologies for industrial customers. Some notable projects on which Prof. Ndagano worked involved the development of a nonlinear imaging LIDAR system and a high-repetition-rate source of entangled photons.

Contact: benjamin.crockett@ieee.org