Real-time waveguided quantum ghost imaging

Imaging through waveguides such as optical fibers enables visualization of otherwise inaccessible regions, including deep biological tissue in endoscopy. Here, we demonstrate real-time waveguided quantum ghost imaging (wQGI) using a bright quantum light source and a single-photon avalanche diode image sensor. Our wide-field wQGI approach requires no active modulation and produces real-time coincidence images directly, due to the imager's on-chip, in-pixel correlation logic. Using a standard, commercial off-the-shelf fiber bundle compatible with standard endoscopic setups, we validate our system on test samples and quantitatively compare image quality to standard free-space QGI. QGI can enhance the signal-to-noise ratio in the low-photon regime. It also enables imaging at wavelengths where conventional image sensors lack sensitivity. The demonstrated platform thus provides a viable approach to non-invasive, low-light imaging in spectral regions not accessible by standard sensors. Published by Optica Publishing Group under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.