Tag Archives: imaging

Revolutionary New Sensor Transforms Optical Imaging Technology

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Revolutionizing Imaging Technology: UConn Scientists Create Lens-Free Sensor with Submicron 3D Resolution

Illustration of MASI’s working principle. Image credit: Wang et al., doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-65661-8.

“This technological breakthrough addresses a longstanding issue in imaging,” states Professor Guoan Zheng, the lead author from the University of Connecticut.

“Synthetic aperture imaging leverages the combination of multiple isolated sensors to mimic a larger imaging aperture.”

This technique works effectively in radio astronomy due to the longer wavelengths of radio waves, which facilitate precise sensor synchronization.

However, at visible wavelengths, achieving this synchronization is physically challenging due to the significantly smaller scales involved.

The Multiscale Aperture Synthesis Imager (MASI) turns this challenge on its head.

Instead of requiring multiple sensors to operate in perfect synchronization, MASI utilizes each sensor to independently measure light, employing computational algorithms to synchronize these measurements.

“It’s akin to multiple photographers capturing the same scene as raw light measurements, which software then stitches together into a single ultra-high-resolution image,” explains Professor Zheng.

This innovative computational phase-locking method removes the dependency on strict interferometric setups that previously limited the use of optical synthetic aperture systems.

MASI diverges from conventional optical imaging through two key innovations.

Firstly, instead of using a lens to focus light onto a sensor, MASI employs an array of coded sensors positioned on a diffractive surface, capturing raw diffraction patterns—the way light waves disperse after encountering an object.

These measurements contain valuable amplitude and phase information, which are decoded using advanced computational algorithms.

After reconstructing the complex wavefront from each sensor, the system digitally adjusts the wavefront and numerically propagates it back to the object’s surface.

A novel computational phase synchronization technique iteratively fine-tunes the relative phase offsets to enhance overall coherence and energy during the joint reconstruction process.

This key innovation enables MASI to surpass diffraction limits and constraints posed by traditional optical systems by optimizing the combined wavefront in the software, negating the need for physical sensor alignment.

As a result, MASI achieves a larger virtual synthetic aperture than any individual sensor, delivering submicron resolution and a wide field of view, all without the use of lenses.

Unlike traditional lenses for microscopes, cameras, and telescopes, which require designers to make trade-offs, MASI enables higher resolution without the limitations of lens proximity.

MASI captures diffraction patterns from several centimeters away, reconstructing images with unparalleled submicron resolution. This innovation is akin to inspecting the intricate ridges of a human hair from a distance, rather than needing to hold it inches away.

“The potential applications of MASI are vast, ranging from forensics and medical diagnostics to industrial testing and remote sensing,” highlights Professor Zheng.

“Moreover, the scalability is extraordinary. Unlike traditional optical systems, which become increasingly complex, our framework scales linearly, opening doors to large arrays for applications we have yet to conceptualize.”

For more details, refer to the team’s published paper in Nature Communications.

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R. One et al. 2025. Multiscale aperture synthetic imager. Nat Commun 16, 10582; doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-65661-8

Source: www.sci.news

How Quantum Computers Could Enhance Exoplanet Imaging for Clearer Views

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Artist’s Impression of an Exoplanet

Credit: ESA/Hubble (M. Kornmesser)

Innovative quantum computers may enhance our ability to detect exoplanets and analyze their characteristics in unprecedented detail.

Astronomers have identified thousands of planets beyond our solar system, but they believe billions of exoplanets remain to be uncovered. This exploration is crucial for the search for extraterrestrial life, though the distance from Earth complicates direct observations.

Johannes Borregard and his team at Harvard University propose that quantum computing technology could dramatically streamline this endeavor.

Capturing images of exoplanets involves detecting their faint light signals, which diminish as they traverse vast cosmic distances. Additionally, these signals can be obscured by the light of nearby stars, creating additional challenges.

According to Borregard, his NASA colleagues illustrated the difficulty of this task, likening it to locating a single photon amidst a sea of light during telescope observations.

Traditional processing methods struggle with such weak signals. However, quantum computers can harness the quantum states of incoming photons, utilizing their unique properties to gather crucial data about exoplanets. This approach could transform what typically produces indistinct images or singular blurred points into clear visuals of distant worlds, revealing light-based markers of molecules present on these exoplanets.

The central concept of the team’s proposal suggests that light from an exoplanet interacts with a quantum computing device crafted from specially engineered diamond. This technology has already shown success in storing quantum states of photons. These states would then be transmitted to an advanced quantum computer designed to process and generate images of exoplanets. In their model, Borregard and his colleagues envision the second device utilizing ultracold atoms, which have demonstrated significant potential in recent experiments.

Research indicates that employing quantum devices in this manner could produce images using only one-hundredth, or even one-thousandth, of the photons needed in conventional methods. Essentially, in scenarios of extremely weak light, quantum systems could surpass existing technology.

“Since photons adhere to quantum mechanics principles, it is intuitive to explore quantum approaches for detecting and processing light from exoplanets,” notes Cosmolpo from the Polytechnic University of Bari, Italy. However, he acknowledges that realizing this proposal poses significant challenges, necessitating precise control over both quantum computers and effective coordination between them.

Borregard concurs, recognizing promising experimental advancements in employing diamond-based and cryogenic quantum computers. He highlights that establishing a connection between these systems is currently a focus for several research teams, including his own.

Lupo introduces another innovative strategy leveraging quantum light properties. Current initiatives utilizing quantum devices have already begun to observe stars in the Canis Minor constellation. “I am eager to witness the influence of quantum computing on imaging and astronomy in the future,” he states. “This new research represents a pivotal step in that direction.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Imaging Molecules’ Minute Quantum Jitter with Unmatched Clarity

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Accelerator tunnels at the European XFEL, where atomic motion is meticulously studied.

Xfel/Heiner Mueller-Elsner

In a groundbreaking achievement, a highly advanced X-ray laser has successfully unveiled the slight atomic movements of molecules that are typically expected to remain stationary.

Quantum physics thrives on uncertainty. Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle prevents scientists from simultaneously and accurately determining a particle’s position and momentum, indicating that quantum particles can never be fully at rest. Instead, atoms are perpetually in motion, albeit minuscule.

Nonetheless, measuring this subtle Heisenberg wiggle is challenging in complex molecules where atoms exhibit various motion patterns. Recently, Till Janke from the XFEL facility, along with his team, successfully captured this phenomenon using molecules composed of 11 atoms, including carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and iodine.

“This was my first experiment utilizing an extraordinary tool,” Janke remarked. The pivotal device was the “laser beast,” which bombarded molecules with intense bursts of X-rays. Although the pulse duration was only a quarter of a second, it was a million times brighter than conventional medical X-rays.

Each X-ray pulse stripped electrons from the molecule, causing the atoms to become positively charged and repel explosively from each other. By analyzing the aftermath of these explosions, scientists were able to reconstruct quantum variations of atoms in detail at their lowest energy states.

The team discovered that Heisenberg’s wiggle appears to follow a synchronized pattern in the movements of specific atoms. While this wasn’t unexpected based on the molecular structure, the researchers were astonished by the precision of their measurements, as noted by team member Ludger Inhester at German electronic synchrotrons.

Next, the researchers aim to explore how quantum fluctuations influence molecular behavior during chemical reactions. They also intend to adapt their methodology to study electron movements.

“We are exploring ways to expand our findings to larger systems. There are numerous avenues for future research,” shared team member Rebecca Bol from European XFEL.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Biologists Use High Resolution Imaging to Study Iberian Rib Neutrons.

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Aquariums in the aquatic tail, called Newt, have a large genome with many repetitive factors. It is unknown how these elements form genome and relate to the unique playback ability of Newt. In the new research, scientists Carolinska Research Institute In other places, a chromosomal scale genomic sequence was generated. Newt with Iberia ribs (Pleurodeles Waltl)。

brown et al。 We present a chromosome scale assembly of 20.3 GB genome with Iberian ribs (Pleurodeles Waltl), It has an unprecedented continuity and integrity between giant genomes. Image credit: Brown et al。 , Doi: 10.1016/j.xgen.2025.100761.

Iberia's ribs, which are also known as gully parts or Spanish ribs, are a species of Newt. Climate disease To Spain, Portugal, Morocco.

This kind is known for its wide flat head and sharp RIB bone that can make a hole in its side.

Men measure up to 31 cm (12.2 inches) for men and up to 29 cm (11.4 inches) for women. North African specimens are smaller than European population specimens.

“Iberia's Ribbal Newt boasts an impressive playback roster that can reconstruct lost limbs and regenerate damaged organizations of complex organs, brain, heart, and eyes,” he said. A research institute professor Andas Simon and his colleagues said.

“The use of this model type is greatly enhanced by high -quality genomic assembly and annotation.”

“But this was a challenge for a considerable concentration of a large 20 GB genomal size and a repeated element sequence.”

The authors have discovered that repeated elements account for 74 % of Iberia's ribs of Newt genome content.

“This was a technical challenge, but I succeeded in a more detailed mapping that was more comprehensive than other species of similar genome size,” said Simon.

“We have determined the accurate position of both protein cord sequences and non -coded sequences of each chromosome,” said Karolinska Institute Ph.D. Student Ketan Michela.

“In addition, we have identified which protein corded gene is lacking in the genome of the newt, or has more copies than other species.”

“The result is an important resource for researchers in several fields, such as the evolution, regeneration and development of development of genome, and cancer biology.”

“The next step of the research is to focus on functional research. This is to manipulate the molecular process and determine how these will affect the regenerative ability.”

“In addition, we plan to conduct comparative research with other species to further understand these mechanisms.”

Survey results It will be displayed in the journal Cell genomics。

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Thomas Brown et al。 The chromosome genome assembly reveals how the repetitive errors form a non -coding RNA landscape that is active during the rehabilitation of the neut limb. Cell genomicsReleased online on January 27, 2025. Doi: 10.1016/j.xgen.2025.100761

Source: www.sci.news

First-ever imaging of a novel form of magnetism: alternating current magnetism

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Alternating current magnetism is a unique form of magnetic ordering in which small magnetic components align antiparallel to their neighbors, but the structure housing each element is rotated relative to its neighbors. . Professor Peter Wadleigh and colleagues at the University of Nottingham have shown that this new type of magnetism exists and can be controlled with microscopic equipment.

Mapping of alternating current magnetic order vectors in MnTe. Image credit: Amin others., doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-08234-x.

Magnetic materials are used in a large portion of long-term computer memory and in the latest generation of microelectronic devices.

Not only is this a large and important industry, but it is also a global source of carbon emissions.

Replacing key components with alternative magnetic materials has the potential to lead to significant increases in speed and efficiency, while significantly reducing dependence on rare and toxic heavy elements required by traditional ferromagnetic technology .

Alternating magnets combine the advantageous properties of ferromagnets and antiferromagnets in a single material.

They are more robust, more energy efficient, and have the potential to increase the speed of microelectronic components and digital memory by a factor of 1,000.

“An alternating current magnet consists of magnetic moments pointing antiparallel to neighboring magnets,” Professor Wadley says.

“But each part of the crystal that hosts these tiny moments is rotated relative to its neighboring parts. It's like a twist on antiferromagnetism. But this subtle difference It has a big impact.”

Dr Oliver Amin, from the University of Nottingham, said: “Our experimental work provides a bridge between theoretical concepts and real-world implementation, and illuminates the path towards the development of alternative magnetic materials for practical application. I look forward to that.”

The new experimental study was conducted at the MAX IV international facility in Sweden.

This facility, which looks like a giant metal donut, is an electron accelerator called a synchrotron that generates X-rays.

A magnetic material is irradiated with X-rays, and the electrons emitted from the surface are detected using a special microscope.

This allows us to generate images of magnetism within materials with small feature resolution down to the nanoscale.

“Being the first to confirm the effects and properties of this promising new class of magnetic materials has been a hugely rewarding and rewarding privilege,” said the University of Nottingham PhD. Student Alfred Dal Din.

team's work Published in a magazine nature.

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OJ Amin others. 2024. Nanoscale imaging and control of alternating current magnetism in MnTe. nature 636, 348-353;doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-08234-x

Source: www.sci.news