Qu3D aims at designing and implementing quantum plenoptic cameras:
radically novel 3D imaging devices exploiting both momentum-position entanglement and photon-number correlations to enable the typical refocusing and ultra-fast, scanning-free, 3D imaging capabilities of plenoptic devices, but with dramatically enhanced performances:

  • diffraction-limited resolution, unattainable in standard plenoptic cameras;
  • an unprecedented large depth of focus (DOF), even 10 times larger than in standard imaging at the given resolution;
  • ultra-low noise, aiming at sub-shot noise performances.
Qu3D merges scientific research and engineering for optimizing the performances of the developed devices in terms of resolution, DOF, noise, and, most challenging, acquisition and elaboration speed.
Key elements are world-class single-photon sensor arrays, as well as methods and algorithms for data acquisition, elaboration and analysis inspired by machine learning, compressive sensing, and quantum tomography, combined with high-performance low-level programming of fast computing platforms.

Based on the enormous scientific, industrial and societal potential of high-speed 3D imaging at high resolution and low noise, the results of Qu3D are expected to generate novel imaging and diagnostic tools, in many branches of science:
quantum plenoptic microscopes and endoscopes for biophotonics and biomedical imaging, quantum space imaging devices, quantum 3D cameras for both security and industrial inspection applications.

The research is thus expected to open new scientific and technological possibilities, and to play a transformational role in technology and society.