Advancing X-ray quantum imaging through Monte-Carlo simulations

Abstract Imaging with X-rays poses fundamental limits due to radiation damage of the highly energetic photons. This becomes problematic for sensitive biological systems such as subcellular structures. Lowering the radiation dose, without sacrificing the signal-to-noise ratio, would be desirable for...

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Main Authors: Pakhshan Espoukeh, Gabriel Biener, James Baxter, Andrew Aquila, Peter Schwander
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10495-z
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author Pakhshan Espoukeh
Gabriel Biener
James Baxter
Andrew Aquila
Peter Schwander
author_facet Pakhshan Espoukeh
Gabriel Biener
James Baxter
Andrew Aquila
Peter Schwander
author_sort Pakhshan Espoukeh
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Imaging with X-rays poses fundamental limits due to radiation damage of the highly energetic photons. This becomes problematic for sensitive biological systems such as subcellular structures. Lowering the radiation dose, without sacrificing the signal-to-noise ratio, would be desirable for any kind of imaging modalities involving X-rays. To achieve this goal, quantum imaging with entangled X-ray photons constitutes a promising route. Production of biphotons have been demonstrated in the X-ray regime by the process of Spontaneous Parametric Down-Conversion (SPDC). However, compared to SPDC in the regime of visible light, the production rate for X-ray biphotons is extremely low. With the introduction of new high average brightness X-ray sources, such as 4th generation synchrotrons and high repetition rate Free-Electron X-ray Lasers (XFEL), quantum imaging may become practical. We introduce a ray tracing approach using Monte-Carlo sampling, specifically designed for quantum imaging with entangled X-ray photons generated by SPDC. By simulation, the superior image quality of quantum over classical imaging methods is demonstrated using realistic experimental conditions available at high repetition rate XFELs. With these simulations, we can efficiently assist the design of future experiments at beam lines, which can substantially accelerate the advancement of X-ray quantum imaging and reduce costs.
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spelling doaj-art-600b50004658486f8a66e8da33b674c32025-08-20T04:01:51ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-10495-zAdvancing X-ray quantum imaging through Monte-Carlo simulationsPakhshan Espoukeh0Gabriel Biener1James Baxter2Andrew Aquila3Peter Schwander4University of Wisconsin – MilwaukeeUniversity of Wisconsin – MilwaukeeSLAC National Accelerator LaboratorySLAC National Accelerator LaboratoryUniversity of Wisconsin – MilwaukeeAbstract Imaging with X-rays poses fundamental limits due to radiation damage of the highly energetic photons. This becomes problematic for sensitive biological systems such as subcellular structures. Lowering the radiation dose, without sacrificing the signal-to-noise ratio, would be desirable for any kind of imaging modalities involving X-rays. To achieve this goal, quantum imaging with entangled X-ray photons constitutes a promising route. Production of biphotons have been demonstrated in the X-ray regime by the process of Spontaneous Parametric Down-Conversion (SPDC). However, compared to SPDC in the regime of visible light, the production rate for X-ray biphotons is extremely low. With the introduction of new high average brightness X-ray sources, such as 4th generation synchrotrons and high repetition rate Free-Electron X-ray Lasers (XFEL), quantum imaging may become practical. We introduce a ray tracing approach using Monte-Carlo sampling, specifically designed for quantum imaging with entangled X-ray photons generated by SPDC. By simulation, the superior image quality of quantum over classical imaging methods is demonstrated using realistic experimental conditions available at high repetition rate XFELs. With these simulations, we can efficiently assist the design of future experiments at beam lines, which can substantially accelerate the advancement of X-ray quantum imaging and reduce costs.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10495-zLow-dose ImagingEntangled PhotonsX-ray Spontaneous Parametric Down-ConversionQuantum ImagingGhost ImagingQuantum Advantage
spellingShingle Pakhshan Espoukeh
Gabriel Biener
James Baxter
Andrew Aquila
Peter Schwander
Advancing X-ray quantum imaging through Monte-Carlo simulations
Scientific Reports
Low-dose Imaging
Entangled Photons
X-ray Spontaneous Parametric Down-Conversion
Quantum Imaging
Ghost Imaging
Quantum Advantage
title Advancing X-ray quantum imaging through Monte-Carlo simulations
title_full Advancing X-ray quantum imaging through Monte-Carlo simulations
title_fullStr Advancing X-ray quantum imaging through Monte-Carlo simulations
title_full_unstemmed Advancing X-ray quantum imaging through Monte-Carlo simulations
title_short Advancing X-ray quantum imaging through Monte-Carlo simulations
title_sort advancing x ray quantum imaging through monte carlo simulations
topic Low-dose Imaging
Entangled Photons
X-ray Spontaneous Parametric Down-Conversion
Quantum Imaging
Ghost Imaging
Quantum Advantage
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10495-z
work_keys_str_mv AT pakhshanespoukeh advancingxrayquantumimagingthroughmontecarlosimulations
AT gabrielbiener advancingxrayquantumimagingthroughmontecarlosimulations
AT jamesbaxter advancingxrayquantumimagingthroughmontecarlosimulations
AT andrewaquila advancingxrayquantumimagingthroughmontecarlosimulations
AT peterschwander advancingxrayquantumimagingthroughmontecarlosimulations