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 introduces a transformative Quantum-Enhanced Magnetic Induction Tomography (MIT) system utilizing Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers in diamond to overcome fundamental limitations in conventional MIT systems.

Core Breakthrough: Integration of NV centers in ultrapure synthetic diamond substrates replaces traditional induction coils, enabling quantum-mechanical magnetic field detection for tomographic imaging.
Spatial Resolution: Achieved 0.8 mm minimum detectable feature size, representing a 3.5-fold enhancement over conventional MIT systems (MTF cut-off increased from 0.4 lp/mm to 1.4 lp/mm).
Detection Sensitivity: Demonstrated a 0.01 S/m conductivity detection threshold, achieving a 10-fold sensitivity improvement crucial for detecting subtle tissue anomalies.
Image Quality Metrics: Reconstruction error (RMSE) was reduced by 62% (from 0.184 to 0.070), coupled with a 28% enhancement in Structural Similarity Index (SSIM).
Signal Integrity: Consistent Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) improvement of 8.3 ± 0.4 dB was achieved across varying experimental conditions.
Clinical Relevance: Validated performance shows 95% sensitivity and 92% specificity in detecting sub-millimeter tissue anomalies, establishing a pathway for early disease detection in oncology and cardiology.

Technical Specifications

Parameter	Value	Unit	Context
Spatial Resolution (Min Feature)	0.8	mm	Quantum-Enhanced MIT
Resolution Enhancement Factor	3.5	-fold	Compared to Conventional MIT
Conductivity Detection Threshold	0.01	S/m	Sensitivity Improvement (10-fold)
Reconstruction Error Reduction (RMSE)	62	%	From 0.184 to 0.070
Structural Similarity Enhancement (SSIM)	28	%	From 0.721 to 0.924
SNR Enhancement	8.3 ± 0.4	dB	Consistent across 50 measurements
NV Center Density	>10¹⁵	cm^-3	In ultrapure synthetic diamond
NV Coherence Time	>100	µs	Sensor operational stability
Laser Wavelength	532	nm	Diode-pumped solid-state
Laser Power Output	100	mW	NV center optical initialization
Laser Wavelength Stability	±0.1	nm	Required for quantum state preparation
RF Antenna Frequency Range	1 - 3	GHz	NV spin manipulation
RF Phase Accuracy	<1	°	NV spin manipulation precision
Magnetic Field Control	µT-level	Regulation	Three-axis system for state preparation
Fluorescence Detection Timing	<100	ps	Single-photon avalanche photodiode (SPAD) arrays
Data Acquisition Rate	>1	MHz	Real-time dynamic imaging applications
Electromagnetic Shielding Attenuation	>80	dB	Across DC to 1 GHz range
Temperature Control Consistency	±0.1	°C	During phantom measurements

Key Methodologies

The quantum-enhanced MIT system relies on a highly integrated architecture combining advanced quantum sensing hardware with sophisticated computational frameworks.

Quantum Sensor Integration: NV centers in ultrapure synthetic diamond substrates are utilized as primary magnetic field sensors, replacing conventional induction coils to overcome classical sensitivity limits.
Optical Initialization and Readout: A 532 nm diode-pumped solid-state laser (100 mW) initializes the NV centers. High-numerical-aperture (NA=0.9) microscope objectives ensure efficient (>80%) fluorescence collection, detected by SPAD arrays with <100 ps timing resolution.
Spin Manipulation: A radiofrequency (RF) antenna array operating between 1-3 GHz, coupled with a three-axis µT-level magnetic field control system, performs precise NV spin manipulation sequences.
Computational Framework: Magnetic field reconstruction from fluorescence data employs quantum state tomography algorithms using maximum likelihood estimation. Deep neural networks (convolutional layers) are used for image enhancement and artifact reduction.
Environmental Control: Specialized requirements include a Faraday cage providing >80 dB electromagnetic shielding (DC to 1 GHz) and pneumatic isolation platforms maintaining sub-micrometer mechanical stability to prevent quantum decoherence.
Validation Protocols: Controlled validation used tissue-equivalent phantoms (0.01-1.0 S/m conductivity). Performance was quantified using gold-standard metrics: Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) analysis for spatial resolution and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis for sensitivity.
Comparative Analysis: Direct performance comparison was conducted against conventional MIT systems operating at 10-100 kHz excitation frequencies under identical experimental conditions, with statistical significance confirmed using paired t-tests (p < 0.001).

Commercial Applications

The transformative precision and sensitivity achieved by NV-center enhanced MIT have broad implications across several high-value engineering and scientific sectors.

Medical Diagnostics and Imaging:
- Early Disease Detection: Detection of sub-millimeter tissue anomalies (0.8 mm features) critical for early-stage oncology, vascular anomalies, and neurological disorders.
- Precision Medicine: High-resolution conductivity mapping for detailed tissue characterization, improving diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic planning.
- Quantum Imaging Hardware: Development of next-generation medical imaging systems based on diamond quantum sensors.
Materials Characterization and Quality Control:
- Nondestructive Testing (NDT): High-resolution detection of sub-millimeter defects (2-3 mm features) in conductive materials, essential for safety-critical manufacturing (e.g., aerospace, semiconductors).
- Structural Integrity Assessment: Monitoring of composite materials and structural integrity in industrial applications.
Geophysical and Environmental Exploration:
- Subsurface Mapping: Geophysical exploration requiring high-sensitivity magnetic induction tomography (e.g., mapping conductivity anomalies 0.5 m lateral resolution at 10 m depth).
- Environmental Monitoring: Groundwater contamination detection and mineral exploration requiring precise electrical property quantification.
Quantum Sensing Technology:
- NV Center Fabrication: Demand for ultrapure synthetic diamond substrates with optimized NV center arrays (>10¹⁵ cm^-3 density, >100 µs coherence time).
- Quantum Control Electronics: Development of specialized RF and laser control systems (1-3 GHz RF, <1° phase accuracy) and high-speed data acquisition (>1 MHz sampling).

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