Quantum Imaging with Undetected Photons Utilizing Entangled States
Abstract
The application of quantum states of light has resulted in beyond-classical imaging capabilities such as breaking the diffraction resolution barrier and achieving sub-shot-noise sensitivity. It has also led to the discovery of conceptually new imaging techniques (e.g., ghost imaging). Since quantum imaging techniques employ only a small number of photons, they require sophisticated detectors. Despite developments of various technologies, detecting low-intensity light remains a big challenge for a wide range of wavelengths(e.g., mid-infrared region). Therefore, developing a comprehensive quantum imaging technique that (i) does not detect the light illuminating the object and (ii) transfers the object information to a suitable wavelength is of crucial importance. The main objective of this proposal is to address these pressing demands by developing novel theoretical approaches to advance a recently discovered imaging technique, namely ``quantum imaging with undetected photons (QIUP).QIUP is an interferometric technique that allows image acquisition without the photons probing the object being detected. The object information is transferred to a suitable wavelength for which good detectors are available. This imaging technique requires the use of correlated photon pairs. Although spatially entangled (position-momentum entangled) photon pairs have been used in all experimental setups, detailed analyses have revealed that quantum entanglement plays no role in the image formation. Furthermore, since the technique is interferometric and uses a small number of photons, it is vulnerable to random phase fluctuations, thereby limiting its applicability to many practical scenarios. The PI proposes to (i) utilize quantum entanglement to enhance capabilities of this imaging scheme, and (ii) make the imaging technique resistant to random phase fluctuations. The proposed project, if successful, will result in a noise-resistant imaging scheme that can be used to image polarization-sensitive anisotropic objects at wavelengths for which no detectors are available. Since imaging has versatile applications to military needs, the work has high potential for future Naval applications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 11, 2023
- Source ID
- N000142312778
Entities
People
- Mayukh Lahiri
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Oklahoma State University–Stillwater
- United States Navy