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Research Highlight | Center for Nanoscale Materials

Ghost imaging via second harmonic generation within materials

In a study published in Applied Physics Letters, researchers developed a new approach to ghost imaging with significant advantages for imaging in scattering environments.

Scientific Achievement

A new approach to a remote imaging technique called ghost imaging (GI) is achieved using ultrafast optical pulses to produce second harmonic generation (SHG) within materials.

Significance and Impact

Conventional SHG microscopy enables imaging of defects and interfaces where SHG efficiency is relatively high. GI-SHG adds significant advantages in imaging in scattering environments (e.g., biomaterials, turbulent systems) at lower optical intensities, while using a remote sensing approach. 

Research Details

  • Nanophotonics and ultrafast laser capabilities at the Center for Nanoscale Materials (CNM) were used, as well as computational efforts, termed compressive sensing, that enhanced image recovery rates. 

Work was performed at CNM.

DOI10.1063/1.5144690

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About Argonne’s Center for Nanoscale Materials
The Center for Nanoscale Materials is one of the five DOE Nanoscale Science Research Centers, premier national user facilities for interdisciplinary research at the nanoscale supported by the DOE Office of Science. Together the NSRCs comprise a suite of complementary facilities that provide researchers with state-of-the-art capabilities to fabricate, process, characterize and model nanoscale materials, and constitute the largest infrastructure investment of the National Nanotechnology Initiative. The NSRCs are located at DOE’s Argonne, Brookhaven, Lawrence Berkeley, Oak Ridge, Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories. For more information about the DOE NSRCs, please visit https://​sci​ence​.osti​.gov/​U​s​e​r​-​F​a​c​i​l​i​t​i​e​s​/​U​s​e​r​-​F​a​c​i​l​i​t​i​e​s​-​a​t​-​a​-​G​lance.

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