#phasewrapping

Quantum Multi-Wavelength Holography creates precise, deep holographic images using quantum principles and multi-wavelength light.

Multi-wavelength quantum holography

Brown University Engineers Create Amazing 3D Holograms Defying Quantum Laws

Brown University engineers employed quantum entanglement to display high-fidelity 3D holograms in real time, a revolutionary in holographic imaging. This innovative technology eliminates the need for infrared (IR) cameras and could revolutionise scientific visualisation.

The Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics saw the scientists exhibit Quantum Multi-Wavelength Holography. Senior research associate Petr Moroshkin and Brown School of Engineering Professor Jimmy Xu guided undergraduates Moe (Yameng) Zhang and Wenyu Liu in the study.

Utilising Entanglement's "Spooky Action"

This innovation uses Einstein's “spooky action at a distance” account of quantum entanglement. Entangled photons quickly react to each other regardless of distance.

Brown creates entangled photons with a unique crystal. The “signal” photon entangled with the “idler” forms the image when it interacts with the object being photographed. No infrared camera is needed for infrared imaging. They prevailed despite the odds.

This ingenious technology allows infrared imaging without a camera. Infrared light is ideal for biological imaging and studying hidden or delicate structures since it penetrates skin and is safe for fragile tissues. It often requires expensive infrared detectors. By using cheap silicon detectors, this revolutionary method uses visible light for detection, making it cheaper and more accessible.

Works How

Steps to make high-fidelity 3D holograms:

Quantum entanglement, in which two photons are coupled so that a change in one instantly affects its companion regardless of distance, is the approach's foundation.

It generates entangled photon pairs using a unique crystal.

Dual-photon probing/imaging

The “idler” photon from the entangled pair interacts with the thing being imaged.

The entangled “signal” photon, a visible light photon, creates the picture.

This inventive setup allows infrared imaging without an IR camera. The image is formed using visible light, therefore silicon detectors can replace expensive infrared detectors. Because it can safely penetrate skin and probe delicate or hidden tissues, infrared light is useful for biological imaging.

3D Intensity and Phase: The approach records light wave phase and intensity. This is needed to create clear, depth-rich 3D images with a more detailed view than light reflection alone.

Overcoming Phase Wrapping with Synthetic Wavelengths: Researchers use two sets of entangled photons with slightly different wavelengths to estimate depth precisely and overcome "phase wrapping," which occurs when deep features produce repetitive wave patterns that make measurement difficult. With a 25-fold longer “synthetic” wavelength, deeper contours can be measured more accurately and 3D images are more reliable. Images of cells and other biological materials benefit from this wider measurable range.

Non-Contact Imaging: High depth resolution and no touch make examining fragile components easier.

By creating a holographic three-dimensional image of a small metal letter “B,” the process was shown. The National Science Foundation and Department of Defence funded the study.

Overcoming Phase Wrapping Challenge

This study solved phase wrapping, a common depth measurement issue that affects accuracy. patterns deeper than the wavelength of light generate phase wrapping, which repeats the wave pattern and makes shallow patterns difficult to distinguish.

The Brown team cleverly solves this problem with two sets of entangled photons with slightly differing wavelengths. The resulting “synthetic” wavelength is 25 times longer than the original wavelengths. With this longer synthetic wavelength, deeper contours may be precisely measured, creating more reliable 3D images. This helps them collect more accurate thickness data, which lets us construct accurate 3D images using indirect photons. Cells and other biological materials benefit from this broader measurable range.

Concept Proof and Future Outlook

To honour Brown University, the team created a 1.5-mm-wide holographic 3D image of a metal letter ‘B’ to demonstrate their method. This was a successful proof-of-concept for quantum entanglement producing high-quality 3D photos. The effort has extensive support from the National Science Foundation and Department of Defence.