Politecnico di Milano coordinates Q-VIBE through the research team at the Department of Physics with strong expertise in vibrational spectroscopy and imaging, coherent Raman microscopy, nonlinear optics, optical frequency combs, and ultrafast photonics. The team operates within a broad photonics environment hosting several optics laboratories and advanced laser facilities and part of LASERLAB-Europe, the integrated European initiative providing access to advanced laser research infrastructures.
Within Q-VIBE, Politecnico di Milano contributes expertise in nonlinear optics, quantum source development, vibrational microscopy, and optical system integration. This expertise supports the project’s goal of developing a quantum-enabled vibrational imaging platform and applying it to microplastics analysis.
Coordinator: Marco Marangoni
Senior scientific contributors: Francesco Basso Basset, Giulio Cerullo
Project team: Edoardo Torre
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin contributes strong expertise in quantum optics and nonlinear quantum optics. The Nonlinear Quantum Optics group of the Institute of Physics has extensive experience in the generation and use of photon pairs for quantum technologies, with a particular focus on imaging and spectroscopy approaches based on undetected photons. In recent years, the group has developed demonstrators targeting the mid-infrared range for applications in chemical and biomedical analysis, environmental monitoring, and nondestructive testing.
Within Q-VIBE, the Berlin team contributes expertise in quantum-enabled measurement schemes, photon-pair generation, and mid-infrared imaging concepts. Its role is to support the development of the quantum optical approach underlying the project and to contribute to its translation into a vibrational imaging platform.
Partner lead: Sven Ramelow
Senior scientific contributors: Helen Chrzanowski
Project team: Anna Romanova
Aalborg University contributes extensive expertise in micro- and nanoplastic analysis. The Urban Pollution Research Group at the Department of the Built Environment has long-standing experience in developing analytical methods for quantifying micro- and nanoplastics and studying their generation, transport, mitigation, and fate in natural and urban environments. Its work also addresses human exposure through air and food and contributes to the harmonization and standardization of methods for sampling, preparation, measurement, data analysis, and reporting.
Within Q-VIBE, Aalborg University leads the application-driven benchmarking and validation of the emerging technology for microplastics analysis. Using established analytical platforms, including μFTIR, LDIR and μRaman, Aalborg University will develop reference samples and protocols, establish performance benchmarks, and assess the Q-VIBE microscope against state-of-the-art methods. This application-driven approach will help guide the optimization of the Q-Vibe technology and demonstrate its performance in challenging real-world scenarios.
Partner lead: Jes Vollersten
Senior scientific contributors: Alvise Vianello, Laura Simon Sanchez
Project team: Hery Mitsutake
NIREOS is an Italian SME and spin-off from Politecnico di Milano founded in 2018, which specializes in spectroscopy, interferometry, and hyperspectral imaging. Leveraging a strong research and development background, the company develops compact optical instrumentation, including interferometers, spectrometers, and hyperspectral cameras for scientific and industrial applications.
Within Q-VIBE, NIREOS contributes expertise in compact interferometric technologies, hyperspectral instrumentation, and optical system integration. This expertise supports the development of a practical quantum-enabled vibrational imaging platform and helps connect the project’s scientific objectives with future instrumental applications.
Partner lead: Fabrizio Preda
Project team: Antonio Perri, Marta Ghirardello, Valentina dell’Arciprete, Federico Colombo, Enrico Grazioli, Ivan Tolomeo, Agnese Pasin, Lorenzo Vinco, Andrea Ragni
3PHOTON is a Lithuanian company operating at the forefront of optical coatings and precision polishing, with a focus on laser and nonlinear crystals as well as high-performance optical components. With facilities in Vilnius, the company integrates polishing and coating processes under one roof, enabling the handling of crystals with different hardness and sensitivity while maintaining high durability and laser damage thresholds.
3PHOTON offers advanced optical coatings for laser and nonlinear crystals, using deposition techniques such as IBS, IAD, and EBE. Its team combines expertise in solid-state physics, simulation, precision polishing, and coating technology, covering key stages of infrared crystal production and optical component engineering.
Within Q-VIBE, 3PHOTON contributes to the development and supply of nonlinear crystals with dedicated AR and HR coatings. The company will also support the integration and mounting of these components within the final microscope layout.
Partner lead: Marius Šemeta
Project team: Paulius Gebrauskas