Pioneering a New Era in Quantum Imaging with Metasurfaces

Researchers from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems (TMOS) at the Australian National University (ANU) and the University of Melbourne (UoM) have unveiled a revolutionary quantum imaging technique. This innovative method harnesses spatially entangled photon pairs generated by an ultra-thin nonlinear metasurface, enabling high-resolution image reconstruction through the synergy of ghost imaging and all-optical scanning. This breakthrough marks a significant leap forward in quantum optics and imaging technology.

Figure 1. Quantum Imaging Redefined: Faster, Smaller, and More Precise.

Overcoming Traditional Barriers in Quantum Imaging

Which depends on bulky nonlinear crystals with constraints like limited size, narrow angular emission, and a restricted field of view. To address these issues, the TMOS team engineered a nanoscale silica meta-grating combined with a thin lithium niobate film. This compact, efficient structure generates entangled photon pairs while offering a highly tunable and scalable platform for advanced quantum imaging. Figure 1 shows Quantum Imaging Redefined: Faster, Smaller, and More Precise.

Redefining Optical Scanning—No Mechanical Parts Required

“One of the study’s most notable innovations is the ability to control photon emission angles purely optically by adjusting the pump beam’s wavelength. This eliminates the need for mechanical scanning, allowing precise, seamless optical scanning in one dimension while maintaining broad anti-correlated photon emissions in the other,” explained Jinliang Ren, PhD student at TMOS, ANU.

Leveraging these capabilities, the team integrated optical scanning with ghost imaging to reconstruct two-dimensional objects. This method simplifies hardware demands, requiring only a basic one-dimensional detector array and a bucket detector, unlike traditional bulky systems.

Proven Performance: Enhanced Resolution and Field of View

The team validated their approach through experiments, successfully reconstructing infrared images of two-dimensional objects. Their metasurface-based imaging system achieved resolution levels surpassing conventional quantum ghost imaging setups by more than four orders of magnitude. This superior performance is due to the elimination of longitudinal phase-matching constraints that typically limit the field of view in bulk crystal systems.

Metasurfaces: Shaping the Future of Quantum Imaging

Dr. Jinyong Ma, lead researcher, emphasized the transformative potential of this technology:

“Our work demonstrates the first practical application of metasurface-based quantum imaging systems. Their compact design and tunability make them ideal for free-space applications, where size, stability, and scalability are crucial. This technology is poised to advance fields like quantum communication, object tracking, and dynamic sensing applications such as quantum LiDAR.”

Future Prospects: Boosting Efficiency and Expanding Applications

The team is now focused on enhancing photon pair generation efficiency. “We’re exploring new materials with higher nonlinear coefficients and refining metasurface designs for triple resonances at pump, signal, and idler wavelengths. This could enable photon-pair generation rates that match or exceed those of traditional bulky systems,” noted Dr. Jihua Zhang, a former TMOS research fellow.

Beyond Imaging: Unlocking New Quantum Frontiers

Professor Andrey Sukhorukov, the research group leader, highlighted the broader implications:

“This work extends beyond imaging. Quantum technologies like secure communication networks, quantum LiDAR, and advanced sensing systems stand to benefit from these compact, highly efficient metasurface-based photon-pair sources.”

A Quantum Leap Toward the Future

This research sets a new milestone in quantum optics, underscoring the transformative potential of metasurfaces. By replacing cumbersome optical components with ultra-thin, scalable structures, the TMOS team has paved the way for next-generation quantum imaging and sensing technologies—smaller, faster, and more versatile than ever before.

Source: SciTECHDaily

Cite this article:

Priyadharshini S (2025),Quantum Imaging Advances: Now Faster, Smaller, and More Precise, AnaTechmaz, pp. 202