Scientists of the Croatian Centre of Excellence for Advanced Materials and Sensing Devices have made a significant advance in holography that opens a huge possibility in 3D imaging capabilities. By using quantum light to record holograms, these researchers have discovered a technique that creates holograms with unprecedented contrast, surpassing the limitations of conventional methods that use classical light. These findings deepen our understanding of light and open a new quantum perspective on holography that enables the capture of clear 3D images even under challenging conditions.

 

Holography is a technique that allows researchers to capture and display 3D images. This new quantum approach to holography holds immense potential for various applications. It can be used in imaging sensitive biological and material samples where minimum light exposure is critical. In addition, it proves valuable in covert imaging scenarios as it combats interfering background noise. By effectively suppressing unwanted signals, scientists can now visualise intricate details that were previously invisible in holograms.

 

The key to this advance lies in the use of single photons. These particles defy the conventional wave theory of light and exhibit a behaviour known as "temporal correlation". By using this correlation and selectively capturing photons at specific time intervals, researchers can significantly reduce unwanted noise.

 

This work was supported by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Science for peace (SPS) Multiyear project (MYP) Grant No. G5618 and Ministry of Science and Education (MSE) of Croatia Contract No. KK.01.1.1.01.0001. D.A