Abstract
Quantum imaging leverages correlations between pairs of photons and has the potential to obtain image information beyond what classical sources provide. Extending this approach to the X-ray regime has been limited by low photon-pair generation rates and the lack of suitable detectors. Here, we demonstrate X-ray coincidence imaging using spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) and a pixelated area detector with time- and energy-resolved capabilities. This configuration enables simultaneous detection of correlated X-ray photon pairs and coincidence-based imaging of test objects, including a biological specimen. The increased coincidence rate and spatially resolved detection establish a basis for future quantum-enhanced and low-dose X-ray imaging.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 135-142 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Optica |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 20 2026 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Funding
U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (DE-SC0012704); U.S. Department of Energy–Biological and Environmental Research (KP1607020); Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists; Brookhaven National Laboratory (LDRD 19-30, LDRD 22-22). We thank Bryan Marino and Rick Greene (NSLS-II Complex Scattering Support) for fabricating detector windows and beamstops and for beamline support; John Lara (NSLS-II Structural Biology Support) for crystal holders and goniometer hardware; Erik Muller (BNL Instrumentation) for providing the diamond crystal; Erik Hogenbirk and Erik Maddox (Amsterdam Scientific Instruments) for discussions on time/ToT resolution and Lynx T3 driver support; and Qun Shen (NSLS-II), Peter Schwander, Gabriel Beiner (U. Wisconsin Milwaukee), Andy Aquila, James Baxter, and Nick Hartley (SLAC LCLS-II) for helpful discussions.