Q-Vibe – Quantum-enhanced Vibrational microscopy, the project funded by the EIC Pathfinder Open scheme and coordinated by the Politecnico di Milano through the Department of Physics, is officially underway.
The project is coordinated by Marco Marangoni, a lecturer in the Department of Physics, with the direct involvement of Francesco Basso Basset and Giulio Cerullo in the scientific team at the Politecnico di Milano.
Q-Vibe aims to develop a new quantum vibrational microscope based on undetected photon imaging, a technique that allows information to be obtained in the mid-infrared using laser sources and near-infrared detectors.
The aim is to make infrared microscopy more accessible, enabling label-free, non-destructive and high-resolution chemical analysis. The technology will be designed to produce hyperspectral maps in the molecular fingerprint region, overcoming certain limitations of current FTIR systems in terms of complexity, cost and acquisition speed.
The project will focus in particular on the identification and classification of microplastics, a crucial area for environmental monitoring and for the development of faster and harmonised analytical methods.
The project was launched with a kick-off meeting, held on Thursday 11 and Friday 12 June in the Blue Lecture Theatre of the Department of Physics, which brought together the partners of the international consortium: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, NIREOS SRL, Aalborg University and 3photon. The meeting was attended by Sven Ramelow, Jes Vollertsen, Alvise Vianello, Fabrizio Preda and Marius Šemeta, together with the team from the Politecnico di Milano.
The project brings together expertise in non-linear optics, quantum imaging, FTIR spectroscopy, hyperspectral cameras, non-linear crystals and environmental analysis, with the aim of transforming an emerging quantum technology into a practical tool for research, the environment and industry.