Quantum-Enhanced Magnetic Induction Tomography for Spatial Resolution and Sensitivity Improvements in Non-Invasive Medical Imaging

At a Glance

Metadata	Details
Publication Date	2025-09-30
Journal	Journal of Information Systems and Technology Research
Authors	Abdul Jabbar Lubis, Rachmat Aulia, T. Mohd Diansyah, N. F. Mohd Nasir, Z. Zakaria
Institutions	Pelita Harapan University, Universitas Harapan Medan
Analysis	Full AI Review Included

Executive Summary

This research details the development and validation of a Quantum-Enhanced Magnetic Induction Tomography (MIT) system utilizing Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers in diamond to overcome fundamental limitations in conventional MIT.

Core Innovation: Integration of NV centers in ultrapure synthetic diamond as primary magnetic field sensors, replacing classical induction coils for superior quantum sensing capabilities.
Resolution Breakthrough: Achieved a 3.5-fold spatial resolution enhancement, enabling the detection of sub-millimeter features down to 0.8 mm, critical for early pathology identification.
Sensitivity Improvement: Demonstrated a 10-fold increase in sensitivity, reaching a conductivity detection threshold of 0.01 S/m across physiologically relevant ranges.
Image Quality Metrics: Substantial reconstruction precision improvements, evidenced by a 62% reduction in Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and an 8.3 dB enhancement in Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR).
System Architecture: Features a 532 nm laser, high-density NV arrays (>10¹⁵ cm^-3), and nanosecond-precision FPGA control, operating under strict environmental controls (>80 dB EM shielding, sub-micrometer vibration isolation).
Clinical Potential: Validated high diagnostic accuracy (95% sensitivity, 92% specificity) for detecting sub-millimeter tissue anomalies, positioning the technology for next-generation medical imaging in oncology and cardiology.

Technical Specifications

Parameter	Value	Unit	Context
Minimum Detectable Feature Size	0.8	mm	Quantum-Enhanced MIT Resolution
Spatial Resolution Enhancement	3.5	fold	Compared to Conventional MIT
Conductivity Detection Threshold	0.01	S/m	Sensitivity Improvement (10-fold)
Image Reconstruction Error (RMSE) Reduction	62	%	Quantitative Image Quality
Structural Similarity Index (SSIM) Enhancement	28	%	Structural Detail Preservation
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) Improvement	8.3 ± 0.4	dB	Consistent enhancement factor
NV Center Density	>10¹⁵	cm^-3	Ultrapure synthetic diamond substrate
NV Coherence Time	>100	µs	Sensor operational stability
Laser Wavelength	532	nm	NV optical initialization
Laser Power Output	100	mW	Diode-pumped solid-state laser
RF Antenna Frequency Range	1-3	GHz	NV spin manipulation
RF Phase Accuracy	<1	°	NV spin manipulation
Detection Timing Resolution	<100	ps	Single-photon avalanche photodiode arrays
Data Acquisition Sampling Rate	>1	MHz	Dynamic imaging applications
EM Shielding Attenuation	>80	dB	Across DC to 1 GHz frequency range
Environmental Temperature Stability	±0.1	°C	Phantom measurement consistency

Key Methodologies

The quantum-enhanced MIT system relies on highly controlled quantum sensing and advanced computational frameworks:

Quantum Sensor Integration: NV centers embedded in ultrapure synthetic diamond substrates were used as magnetic field sensors, replacing conventional induction coils to bypass classical sensitivity limits.
Optical and Spin Control: A 532 nm, 100 mW laser system was used for NV center optical initialization. NV spin manipulation was achieved using a 1-3 GHz radiofrequency antenna array with high phase accuracy (<1°).
Magnetic Field Regulation: A three-axis magnetic field control system provided µT-level field regulation, essential for quantum state preparation and maintaining coherence.
High-Speed Detection: Fluorescence detection utilized single-photon avalanche photodiode (SPAD) arrays, offering <100 ps timing resolution. Custom Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) controllers synchronized laser timing and RF pulse sequences with nanosecond precision.
Computational Reconstruction: Data processing involved quantum state tomography algorithms using maximum likelihood estimation, coupled with deep neural network architectures for image enhancement and artifact reduction.
Environmental Isolation: Measurements were conducted within a specialized Faraday cage providing >80 dB electromagnetic attenuation. Pneumatic isolation platforms maintained sub-micrometer mechanical stability to prevent quantum decoherence.
Validation Protocol: System effectiveness was validated using tissue-equivalent phantoms with precisely known conductivity distributions (0.01-1.0 S/m) and freshly harvested ex-vivo porcine organ samples, measured within 2 hours post-harvest.
Performance Quantification: Spatial resolution was assessed using Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) analysis, while image quality was quantified using Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Structural Similarity Index (SSIM).

Commercial Applications

The transformative precision and sensitivity of quantum-enhanced MIT open new avenues across medical, industrial, and geophysical sectors:

Medical Diagnostics (Precision Medicine):
- Early-stage tumor detection (0.8 mm feature size).
- High-resolution breast cancer screening.
- Vascular anomaly identification and cardiovascular imaging.
- Assessment of neurological disorders requiring fine-scale tissue characterization.
Industrial Quality Control and Manufacturing:
- Detection of micro-defects (50 µm) in conductive materials with 300% throughput improvement.
- Semiconductor wafer inspection and failure analysis.
- Structural integrity assessment and composite material characterization.
Geophysical Exploration and Environmental Monitoring:
- Subsurface conductivity mapping with 0.5 m lateral resolution at 10 m depth.
- Detection of small (5%) conductivity anomalies in geological formations.
- Groundwater contamination detection and mineral exploration.
Quantum Sensing Technology:
- Development and commercialization of high-density, high-coherence NV diamond substrates.
- Advanced magnetic field sensing platforms operating at room temperature (future development priority).

View Original Abstract

Traditional Magnetic Induction Tomography (MIT) systems demonstrate limited spatial resolution and detection sensitivity when analyzing complex conductivity distributions in biological tissues. This research investigates the integration of Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers in diamond substrates to overcome these fundamental limitations. The primary objectives include: (1) developing a quantum-enhanced MIT system with superior magnetic field detection capabilities, (2) quantifying performance improvements in spatial resolution and sensitivity compared to conventional approaches, (3) validating system effectiveness through controlled phantom studies and biological tissue analysis, and (4) establishing technological foundations for next-generation medical imaging applications. This study presents the first comprehensive implementation of quantum sensing technology in tomographic imaging applications. Novel contributions include: development of an integrated NV-center based magnetic field detection system, achievement of 0.8 mm minimum detectable feature size representing 3.5-fold resolution enhancement, demonstration of 0.01 S/m conductivity detection threshold showing 10-fold sensitivity improvement, and validation of 62% reconstruction error reduction with 28% structural similarity enhancement. The quantum-enhanced approach establishes new paradigms for early disease detection and precision medicine applications, providing unprecedented imaging capabilities for medical diagnostics, material characterization, and geophysical exploration. Results demonstrate transformative potential for clinical implementation with 95% sensitivity and 92% specificity in detecting sub-millimeter tissue anomalies

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Original Source

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55537/jistr.v4i3.1163