Quantum Sensing and Imaging

What if you could imagine an object without ever interacting with it — or measure a displacement smaller than the width of an atom? Quantum light makes both possible, and the field is advancing faster than most researchers realize.

This webinar brings together two leading voices in quantum sensing and quantum imaging for an in-depth look at where the science stands today and where it is headed. Drawing on the foundational principles of holography and interference — tools already familiar to many in our community — the speakers will show how quantum correlations unlock capabilities that classical light simply cannot match.

Prof. Goutam K. Samanta (Physical Research Laboratory, India) will walk through how Hong–Ou–Mandel interferometry enables ultra-precise measurements of displacement, vibration, and temperature with attosecond-scale sensitivity — using compact, practical platforms rather than complex laboratory setups.

Prof. Andrew Forbes (University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa) will demonstrate how quantum holography allows us to image biological samples, retrieve amplitude and phase from complex objects, and even photograph with high resolution using low-resolution detectors — effectively making the invisible visible.

Whether you are curious about entering this space, already working at its edges, or simply want a clear picture of what quantum-enhanced sensing and imaging can do, this is a timely opportunity to hear from two researchers who are actively defining the field.

Subject Matter Level: Intermediate- Assumes basic knowledge of the topic

What You Will Learn:
• The quantum interference and holography, and their applications in sensing and imaging.
• The main physics behind these applications, and the required instruments and experimental setups.
• The main challenges and future opportunities in these areas.

Who Should Attend:
• Students, researchers, and leading professionals in quantum optics

About the Presenters: 

Andrew Forbes from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Andrew Forbes is presently a Distinguished Professor within the School of Physics at the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa. He is active in promoting photonics in Africa, a founding member of the Photonics Initiative of South Africa and Director of South Africa’s Quantum Roadmap. He is a Fellow of SPIE, Optica, the South African Institute of Physics (SAIP), PIERS, an elected member of the Academy of Science of South Africa and is Editor-in-Chief of APL Photonics. He has won several awards for his outstanding contribution in optics and photonics: the national NSTF Photonics award in 2015, an “A rating” from the South African National Research Foundation in 2018, the Alexander von Humboldt Georg Forster Prize and Fellowship and the South African Institute of Physics Gold Medal in 2020, the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Research in 2021, the Sang Soo Lee award from the Korean Optical Society and OPTICA in 2022, the Physics prize by TWAS in 2024, the NSTF Quantum award and the OMT top award in 2025. He is the only physicist from South Africa on the Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher list. His research interests include structured & singular light beams, digital holography, classical entanglement, quantum optics, lasers and laser resonators.

Goutam K. Samanta from Physical Research Laboratory, India

Goutam K. Samanta is a Professor at the Photonic Sciences Laboratory, Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, India. His research focuses on quantum and nonlinear optics, including high-brightness entangled and structured single-photon sources, quantum sensing and communication, nonlinear interaction of structured beams, optical parametric oscillators, and generation, detection, and applications of THz radiation. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at IIT Madras and is an Editorial Board Member of the Journal of Optics (IOP). He has also acted as Guest Editor for special issues on Advances in Optics and Light–matter Interaction in India.