Could you take a high-resolution image in the dark?
A photon is the fundamental particle of light and it takes many million of these photons to form an image on a sensor in a conventional camera. You would also expect that the more photons available, the better the image. But what if you wanted to take a good quality image in very low light conditions, for example, in the study of cells for medical research?
At QuantIC, we have developed camera sensors that can form images from fewer than one photon per camera pixel. Reducing the required light level means that images can be obtained without damaging the object and such capabilities have applications in the imaging of delicate specimens which are sensitive and easily damaged by light. We are now working with an industry partner in microscopy to see how this can improve the imaging of light sensitive biological samples.
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Image: Demonstration of low light single photon imaging at the National Quantum Technologies Showcase, by Dan Tsantilis / EPSRC