BPS2026 – Quantum imaging methods for live bioimaging

Imaging with quantum light has promised to enable new methods with low-light imaging, higher sensitivity, and lower noise. Because biological systems are particularly prone to photodamage, phototoxicity, or even simple changes of behavior due to the intense light levels we typically use to produce image of samples, quantum-based imaging methods offer improvements for bioimaging. However, many of the developed methods remain in the playground of quantum optics experts and have not been translated into practical bioimaging applications. We will present two infrared quantum spectroscopy methods that have matured to the point where light-sensitive biological samples are regularly imaged with the promised quantum advantage. Quantum ghost imaging (QGI) illuminates samples with less light than moonlight, and quantum imaging with undetected photons (QIUP) can produced hyper-spectral images >100x faster and at greater spatial resolution than conventional Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. With these methods, we can study natural processes, such as photo-sensitive responses, without disturbing the samples. To demonstrate the advantages of QGI and QIUP, we examined the dynamics of stomata opening and closing in response to natural light conditions, a light-sensitive process that can be disturbed when using conventional microscopy tools. In addition, we will present near- and mid-infrared quantum spectroscopy results from single-cell algae imaging to illustrate the broad application potentials of quantum-enabled imaging. This presentation seeks to bring to the broader biophysical audience quantum tools that are prime for wider adoption.