FastGhost · Project

Mid-Infrared Microscopy Using Cheap Visible-Light Cameras Instead of Expensive IR Detectors

healthPrototypeTRL 4Thin data (2/5)

Imagine you need to take a detailed photo of something using infrared light — the kind that reveals chemical composition invisible to the naked eye. The problem is that infrared cameras are incredibly expensive and low-resolution. FastGhost found a clever workaround: they use pairs of connected quantum particles so that one particle touches the sample in infrared while its twin is captured by a cheap, high-resolution visible-light camera. The result is a mid-infrared image taken with equipment that costs a fraction of a traditional IR microscope.

By the numbers

< 1 second

Single image acquisition time achieved

10 MHz

Photon-pair emission rate from optimized source

TRL 4

Technology readiness level of lab demonstrator

Consortium partners across 4 countries

Industrial partner in consortium (including 1 SME)

The business problem

What needed solving

Mid-infrared microscopy reveals the chemical composition of materials — essential for medical diagnostics, pharmaceutical quality control, and materials inspection. But current mid-infrared cameras are extremely expensive, require cryogenic cooling, and offer poor spatial resolution compared to visible-light cameras. This creates a cost and performance barrier that keeps advanced IR microscopy out of reach for most labs and production lines.

The solution

What was built

The project built a TRL 4 lab demonstrator for quantum ghost microscopy that captures mid-infrared images using only visible-light detectors. Key deliverables include a photon-pair source with at least 10 MHz emission rate, sub-1-second single image acquisition, and ghost imaging demonstrated with SPAD detector arrays — eliminating the need for expensive infrared cameras.

Audience

Who needs this

Microscope and imaging equipment manufacturers (e.g., Zeiss, Leica, Bruker)Pharmaceutical QC labs needing chemical composition analysisPathology and histology labs doing tissue analysisNon-destructive testing companies in materials inspectionSemiconductor inspection and failure analysis firms

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Medical Diagnostics & Pathology

enterprise

Target: Microscopy and medical imaging equipment manufacturers

If you are a medical imaging company struggling with the high cost and low resolution of mid-infrared tissue analysis — this project developed a TRL 4 lab demonstrator that captures mid-infrared images using only visible-light detectors, achieving single-image acquisition in under 1 second. This eliminates the need for expensive cryogenically cooled IR cameras. The team specifically targeted imaging in medicine and life sciences as prototype applications.

Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences

mid-size

Target: Drug development and quality control labs

If you are a pharma company that needs to analyze chemical composition of samples under a microscope but finds mid-infrared equipment too slow or expensive — this project built a photon-pair source running at 10 MHz that enables real-time quantum imaging. Instead of waiting minutes per scan, you get images in under 1 second with spatial resolution in the mid-infrared range, using only standard visible-light camera arrays.

Industrial Inspection & Quality Control

SME

Target: Non-destructive testing and materials analysis companies

If you are an inspection company that needs to identify material composition without touching or destroying samples — this project demonstrated ghost imaging with SPAD arrays that separates the detection wavelength from the illumination wavelength. You illuminate with mid-infrared light to probe chemistry while detecting with affordable visible-light sensors, making spectroscopic imaging practical for routine quality checks.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would this technology cost compared to current mid-infrared microscopes?

The core value proposition is replacing expensive mid-infrared detector arrays with affordable visible-light SPAD cameras. Based on available project data, the demonstrator uses standard visible-light single-photon cameras paired with a single mid-infrared bucket detector rather than a full IR camera array. Exact pricing is not published, but the architecture inherently reduces the most expensive component.

Can this work at industrial speed, not just in a lab?

The project delivered single-image acquisition in under 1 second, using a photon-pair source with at least 10 MHz pair-emission rate. This is a significant step from earlier quantum imaging experiments that took minutes or hours. However, this was demonstrated at TRL 4 (lab demonstrator), so further engineering is needed for production-line speeds.

Who owns the intellectual property and can I license it?

The project was coordinated by Fraunhofer (Germany), a research organization with a strong track record in licensing technology to industry. The 5-partner consortium across 4 countries includes 1 industrial partner and 1 SME. IP arrangements would be governed by the consortium agreement — Fraunhofer typically offers flexible licensing terms for applied technology.

Does this meet any regulatory requirements for medical imaging?

The project targeted prototype applications in medicine and life sciences to assess quantum imaging advantages. However, at TRL 4 the demonstrator is a lab-level device and has not undergone medical device certification or regulatory approval. Any medical application would require additional development and CE/FDA clearance.

How long before this could be integrated into our existing microscopy setup?

The project ended in June 2024 with a TRL 4 lab demonstrator. Moving to a commercially integrated product would require engineering for robustness, user interface, and manufacturing — typically 3-5 years from TRL 4 to market. The Fraunhofer system is designed for practical usability, which may accelerate integration.

What wavelength range does this cover and what can it detect?

The system operates in the mid-infrared spectral range, which is critical for identifying molecular bonds and chemical composition. Based on available project data, the spatial resolution is described as high, and the system was validated on medicine and life sciences samples. Specific wavelength bands are not detailed in the public objective.

Consortium

Who built it

The FastGhost consortium brings together 5 partners from 4 countries (Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden), led by Fraunhofer — Europe's largest applied research organization with deep expertise in commercializing lab technology. The team includes 2 universities and 2 research institutes providing the quantum optics and detector expertise, plus 1 industrial partner (which is also an SME) ensuring real-world applicability is considered from day one. The 20% industry ratio is typical for FET Open frontier research projects. Fraunhofer's involvement is particularly relevant for businesses, as they specialize in bridging the gap between academic research and industrial products.

KUNGLIGA TEKNISKA HOEGSKOLANparticipant · SE
SINGLE QUANTUM BVparticipant · NL
FRIEDRICH-SCHILLER-UNIVERSITÄT JENAparticipant · DE
FONDAZIONE BRUNO KESSLERparticipant · IT

How to reach the team

Fraunhofer Society, Germany — contact via their technology transfer office or project website

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Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing or collaboration on quantum imaging for your inspection or diagnostics needs? SciTransfer can connect you with the FastGhost team and help evaluate fit for your use case.

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