New Development in Cancer Treatment, Quantum Research
Cancer, a deadly disease, has been known to man since ancient times. Awareness about it among people is directly related to developments in oncology. It accounts for diseases caused by abnormal and uncontrollable division of cells that results in tumors, weakening of immune systems and other damaging irregularities in the human body.
Over the years, researchers have tried to find different treatments for cancer and came forth with chemotherapy, radiation and other similar treatments but none of them cure cancer for certain so the search continues.
A very recent development in cancer treatment includes Quantum Sensors. Theses sensors are developed by the researchers at the University of Waterloo. With these sensors, they hope to see improvement not only in cancer treatments but several other diseases as well as in clinical applications. They claim that these sensors are far better than the current 3D long-range imaging.
How do they support their claim?
As we know, in microscopes and other imagery devices, capturing light is important for clear resolution and this rule is more important in quantum physics and technology. According to these researchers, these quantum sensors are able to capture every single particle of light, giving results far better than any other technology out there.
Photons are light particles traveling so fast that it’s impossible for even the powerful technology to capture them but the researchers that made these quantum sensors claim that it will now be possible to detect photons through these sensors. They further added that not only will photons be detected, but it will also happen within nanoseconds.
When asked how such efficiency is achieved, they gave the credit to sensors’ material saying that its quality is what makes the sensors so efficient and extraordinary. Even now, they believed that there is a possibility for improvement and the sensors’ performance can be further enhanced by using other materials.
How is this possible?
The researchers explained that the device has Indium Phosphide (InP) nanowires responsible for visibility range in the sensors and it can be improved if InP is replaced with Indium Gallium Arsenide (InGaAs). It can increase the bandwidth range towards telecommunication wavelength more than the material used now. There is much that can be improved in this prototype. Unfortunately, it’s just a prototype now and is only available for use outside of the laboratory once it’s packaged with the right electronics.