Quantum Leap in Spectroscopy: New Technique Doubles Sensitivity

An international team o engineers an physicists haes unveiled a grundbrakin technique that harnesses quantum licht for tae enhance the performance o spectroscopy. This new method allous for infrared electric field measurements that is twice as sensitive as previous techniques, pavin the wey for advancements in security an medical diagnostics.

Time-domain spectroscopy, the current staundart, relies on ultra-short laser pulses that interact wi material samples. This process enables detailed analysis o a material’s molecular structure ower time. Notably, recent research by Nobel Prize winner Ferenc Krausz’s team pynted oot its potential in detectin early signs o diseases like cancer in bluid samples.

Hooanivver, traditional time-domain spectroscopy faces limitations due tae the noise inherent in classical licht soorces, kent as ‘shot noise’. This noise can obscure important signals, hinderin the ability tae gaither further information aboot a sample’s composition.

The new technique, detailed in a paper published in Science Advances, yaises pairs o laser pulses linked throu quantum mechanics tae probe infrared fields. While baith beams experience shot noise, the noise paitterns mirror each ither. By subtractin the measurements fae ae beam tae the ither, hidden signals emerge, allouin for mair sensitive readins. The researchers claim their method reduces noise by hauf compared tae classical licht, effectively doublin sensitivity.

Professor Matteo Clerici fae the University o Glesga’s James Watt School o Engineerin, wha led the study, expressed optimism aboot future applications. He stated, “In time, this technique cuid help us better unnerstaund material composition, detect contaminants, or identify dangerous substances like explosives in the air, as weel as monitor disease merkers in bluid samples.”

The research team, that included Glesga PhD students Dionysis Adamou an Lennart Hirsch, is eager tae explore further enhancements. Future wark micht involve adaptin techniques fae gravitational wave detectors tae boost sensitivity even mair.

Collaborators fae Loughborough University an the University o Strathclyde contributed tae this advancement. The paper cryed “Quantum-enhanced time-domain spectroscopy” is noo available in Science Advances. The project received support fae various fundin bodies, includin Innovate UK an the Royal Academy o Engineerin, unnerscorin the significance o this research in advancin scientific unnerstaundin an practical applications.