Lecture

Quantum Technologies: Advancements in Life Sciences

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Description

This lecture discusses the application of quantum technology in life sciences, particularly focusing on advancements in sensing and imaging. The instructor presents ongoing research at the University of Glasgow, where quantum technologies are utilized to develop next-generation quantum microscopes. Key topics include the use of single-photon counting detectors and cameras that enhance low-light sensitivity, temporal resolution, and frame rates. The lecture highlights how quantum interference can significantly improve fluorescence lifetime imaging, achieving a 1000-fold increase in temporal resolution compared to traditional methods. Additionally, the instructor covers innovative techniques for transmitting light through the head and utilizing light to detect neurodegeneration. The discussion encompasses various imaging techniques, including discrete quantum imaging in weak scattering regimes and fluorescence lifetime imaging, which measures biological activity. The lecture concludes with insights into the future of optical brain reading technology and its potential applications in neurodegeneration and brain monitoring.

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Related concepts (32)

Quantum dot

Quantum dots (QDs) – also called semiconductor nanocrystals, are semiconductor particles a few nanometres in size, having optical and electronic properties that differ from those of larger particles as a result of quantum mechanics. They are a central topic in nanotechnology and materials science. When the quantum dots are illuminated by UV light, an electron in the quantum dot can be excited to a state of higher energy. In the case of a semiconducting quantum dot, this process corresponds to the transition of an electron from the valence band to the conductance band.

Quantum cryptography

Quantum cryptography is the science of exploiting quantum mechanical properties to perform cryptographic tasks. The best known example of quantum cryptography is quantum key distribution which offers an information-theoretically secure solution to the key exchange problem. The advantage of quantum cryptography lies in the fact that it allows the completion of various cryptographic tasks that are proven or conjectured to be impossible using only classical (i.e. non-quantum) communication.

Quantum network

Quantum networks form an important element of quantum computing and quantum communication systems. Quantum networks facilitate the transmission of information in the form of quantum bits, also called qubits, between physically separated quantum processors. A quantum processor is a small quantum computer being able to perform quantum logic gates on a certain number of qubits. Quantum networks work in a similar way to classical networks. The main difference is that quantum networking, like quantum computing, is better at solving certain problems, such as modeling quantum systems.

Photonics

Photonics is a branch of optics that involves the application of generation, detection, and manipulation of light in form of photons through emission, transmission, modulation, signal processing, switching, amplification, and sensing. Photonics is closely related to quantum electronics, where quantum electronics deals with the theoretical part of it while photonics deal with its engineering applications. Though covering all light's technical applications over the whole spectrum, most photonic applications are in the range of visible and near-infrared light.

Quantum computing

A quantum computer is a computer that exploits quantum mechanical phenomena. At small scales, physical matter exhibits properties of both particles and waves, and quantum computing leverages this behavior, specifically quantum superposition and entanglement, using specialized hardware that supports the preparation and manipulation of quantum states. Classical physics cannot explain the operation of these quantum devices, and a scalable quantum computer could perform some calculations exponentially faster than any modern "classical" computer.

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