MeVQE - creating impact for next generation imaging and public engagement
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
Our proposed impact programme has two parallel work streams (i) technical development and commercialisation progression for achieving quantum-entangled gamma imaging and (ii) public engagement.
Regarding (i), our QTFP project (MeVQE) has delivered paradigm shifting insights into the nature of quantum entanglement (QE) at the MeV scale (i.e. gamma photons). Through the theoretical and experimental programme, the conventional view that interactions of entangled gamma quanta with their environment results in rapid decoherence has been overturned. The dominant interaction process at the MeV scale is Compton scattering off electrons in the media through which they travel or are detected. We showed QE is robust to this process, even when one of the entangled photons scatters up to ~60 degrees, with energy reduced by 40%. The horizon has been expanded for exploiting MeVQE in deep imaging (e.g. nuclear waste barrel imaging, security scanning), realising entangled photons of non identical energies (ghost imaging) and utilising robust QE of scattered (and still entangled) photons as new information for imaging (PET medical imaging, security scanning).
However, this robustness means account of QE even has to be made for the (unavoidable) "multiple" scattering (MS) backgrounds, present in any measurement or application (MS is where the gamma interacts more than once in a detector pixel). All industrial applications (examples given above) will now require account of QE in MS, necessitating an extension of our pioneering QE quantum theory from third- to fourth- order scattering. In achieving this, we will create the simulated fully-QE datasets for MeV quanta -for the first time of sufficient quality to train AI/ML algorithms. These outputs will form the basis of a software demonstration of the huge potential of exploiting QE in imaging applications.
Regarding (ii), our state-of-the-art gamma detection arrays employed in the MeVQE programme offer robustness, ease of operation and cost effectiveness. We will collaborate with one of the largest and most successful outreach teams in the UK to embed these novel technologies as an exciting, new component of one of leading physics outreach programme (Binding Blocks UK). This programme, established in 2015, directly reaches >1000 school students (aged 14-19) annually, as well as working with over a hundred teachers with both teacher training and curriculum-linked resources. The funding will pioneer a novel visual system to illustrate in real time the energies and locations of the hits in the detector arrays, using a colour coded LED/CCD array on the detector faces.
Regarding (i), our QTFP project (MeVQE) has delivered paradigm shifting insights into the nature of quantum entanglement (QE) at the MeV scale (i.e. gamma photons). Through the theoretical and experimental programme, the conventional view that interactions of entangled gamma quanta with their environment results in rapid decoherence has been overturned. The dominant interaction process at the MeV scale is Compton scattering off electrons in the media through which they travel or are detected. We showed QE is robust to this process, even when one of the entangled photons scatters up to ~60 degrees, with energy reduced by 40%. The horizon has been expanded for exploiting MeVQE in deep imaging (e.g. nuclear waste barrel imaging, security scanning), realising entangled photons of non identical energies (ghost imaging) and utilising robust QE of scattered (and still entangled) photons as new information for imaging (PET medical imaging, security scanning).
However, this robustness means account of QE even has to be made for the (unavoidable) "multiple" scattering (MS) backgrounds, present in any measurement or application (MS is where the gamma interacts more than once in a detector pixel). All industrial applications (examples given above) will now require account of QE in MS, necessitating an extension of our pioneering QE quantum theory from third- to fourth- order scattering. In achieving this, we will create the simulated fully-QE datasets for MeV quanta -for the first time of sufficient quality to train AI/ML algorithms. These outputs will form the basis of a software demonstration of the huge potential of exploiting QE in imaging applications.
Regarding (ii), our state-of-the-art gamma detection arrays employed in the MeVQE programme offer robustness, ease of operation and cost effectiveness. We will collaborate with one of the largest and most successful outreach teams in the UK to embed these novel technologies as an exciting, new component of one of leading physics outreach programme (Binding Blocks UK). This programme, established in 2015, directly reaches >1000 school students (aged 14-19) annually, as well as working with over a hundred teachers with both teacher training and curriculum-linked resources. The funding will pioneer a novel visual system to illustrate in real time the energies and locations of the hits in the detector arrays, using a colour coded LED/CCD array on the detector faces.