Sensing Birefringence and Diattenuation with Undetected Light

TL;DR

This paper proposes a quantum-imaging method using nonlinear interferometers to simultaneously sense tissue birefringence and diattenuation with undetected light, advancing biological imaging techniques.

Contribution

It introduces controllable polarization in a quantum setup and demonstrates the potential to measure complex tissue properties with undetected light, a novel approach in quantum biological sensing.

Findings

Theoretical model shows simultaneous sensing of birefringence and diattenuation.

Potential for high sensitivity in biological tissue characterization.

Applicable in both low- and high-gain regimes.

Abstract

Developing advanced technologies for sensing and imaging biological samples is crucial for medical applications, making quantum-enhanced methods particularly valuable, as they promise significant benefits over classical techniques. An important aspect of biological imaging is the characterization of tissue, which often involves resolving complex structural information such as birefringence and diattenuation. These measures require polarization-sensitive sensing which remains largely unaddressed in quantum-imaging techniques with undetected light. However, the bicolor nature and supreme phase sensitivity of nonlinear interferometers make them particularly advantageous for biological sensing. Hence, we theoretically introduce controllable polarizations of the interrogating light in a quantum-imaging setup and show the potential of nonlinear interferometers to simultaneously sense birefringence and diattenuation with undetected light while discussing both the low- and high-gain regime.