Hyper-spectral Imaging with up-converted Mid-Infrared Single-Photons

Hyper-spectral Imaging with up-converted Mid-Infrared Single-Photons | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Hyper-spectral Imaging with up-converted Mid-Infrared Single-Photons Yijian Meng, Asbjørn Arvad Jørgensen, Andres N. Rasmussen, Lasse Høgstedt, and 2 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7519045/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 12 Dec, 2025 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted 10 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Hyperspectral imaging in the mid-infrared (MIR) spectral range provides unique molecular specificity by probing fundamental vibrational modes of molecular bonds, making it highly valuable for biomedical and biochemical applications. However, conventional MIR imaging techniques often rely on high-intensity illumination that can induce photodamage in sensitive biological tissues. Single-photon MIR imaging offers a label-free, non-invasive alternative, yet its adoption is hindered by the lack of efficient, room-temperature MIR single-photon detectors. We present a single-photon hyperspectral imaging platform that combines cavity-enhanced spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) with nonlinear frequency up-conversion. This approach enables MIR spectral imaging using cost-effective, visible-wavelength silicon single-photon avalanche diodes (Si-SPADs), supporting room-temperature, low-noise, and high-efficiency operation. Time-correlated photon pairs generated via SPDC suppress classical intensity noise, enabling near shot-noise-limited hyperspectral imaging. We demonstrate chemically specific single-photon imaging across the \SIrange{2.9}{3.6}{\micro\meter} range on biological (egg yolk, yeast) and polymeric (polystyrene, polyethylene) samples. The system delivers high-contrast, label-free imaging at ultralow photon flux, overcoming key limitations of current MIR technologies. This platform paves the way toward scalable, quantum-enabled MIR imaging for applications in molecular diagnostics, environmental sensing, and biomedical research. Biological sciences/Biological techniques Physical sciences/Optics and photonics Physical sciences/Physics Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 12 Dec, 2025 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 22 Oct, 2025 Reviews received at journal 17 Oct, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 06 Oct, 2025 Reviews received at journal 03 Oct, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 11 Sep, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 09 Sep, 2025 Editor invited by journal 05 Sep, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 04 Sep, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 03 Sep, 2025 First submitted to journal 02 Sep, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7519045","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":513945721,"identity":"24b63191-7090-4bdb-8635-6da6d2c9baab","order_by":0,"name":"Yijian Meng","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Danish fundamental Metrology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Yijian","middleName":"","lastName":"Meng","suffix":""},{"id":513945722,"identity":"10172785-773f-4bc0-9850-35964568d223","order_by":1,"name":"Asbjørn Arvad Jørgensen","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Danish fundamental Metrology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Asbjørn","middleName":"Arvad","lastName":"Jørgensen","suffix":""},{"id":513945723,"identity":"4d4ecf23-5421-48ff-958e-4ce6f768c2c2","order_by":2,"name":"Andres N. 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