Quantum computing may have applications in imaging according to University of Pittsburgh researchers.

Working at the interface of quantum measurement and nanotechnology, they are developing a nanoscale magnetic imaging device comprising single electrons encased in a diamond crystal (instead of a huge MRI machine), allowing for studying single molecules or groups of molecules inside cells, instead of the entire body, and without destroying the materials.

“Think of this like a typical medical procedure — using MRI, but on single molecules or groups of molecules inside cells instead of the entire body,” says Gurudev Dutt, assistant professor in Pitt’s Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Dutt and colleagues have used quantum computing methods to circumvent the hardware limitation to view the entire magnetic field. By extending the field, the Pitt researchers have improved the ratio between maximum detectable field strength and field precision by a factor of 10 compared to the standard technique used previously.

Ref.: N. M. Nusran, et al., High-dynamic-range magnetometry with a single electronic spin in diamond, Nature Nanotechnology, 2011; [DOI: 10.1038/nnano.2011.225]