Metasurface-assisted multimodal quantum imaging
Yifan Zhou, Xiaoshu Zhu, Tianyue Li, Zhou Zhou, Qianhui Bi, Jun Liu, Jian Chen, Boyan Fu, Juanzi He, Xiaojing Feng, Xinyang Feng, Xingyu Liu, Qianjin Wang, Shuming Wang, Zhenlin Wang, Cheng‐Wei Qiu, Shining Zhu
Abstract
Traditional quantum imaging is featured by remarkable sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio, but limited by bulkiness and static function (either phase contrast imaging or edge detection). Our report synergizes a polarization-entangled source with a metasurface consisting of various sophisticatedly engineered spatial frequency segments. By tuning polarization, we demonstrate multiple "on"-state quantum imaging modes, enabling flexible switching between phase contrast, edge, and arbitrary superimposed imaging mode. Furthermore, the "off"-state, which characterizes the background noise, enables self-calibration of the system by subtracting this noise in "on"-state modes, resulting in self-enhanced edge detection. Our approach performs phase contrast imaging with a phase difference of π/4 present in the target object, and edge imaging capable of detecting tiny (radius about 2 μm) defects, maintaining high image contrast (phase contrast of 0.726, and enhanced edge contrast of 0.902). Our results provide insights into constructive duet between quantum imaging and metaoptics.