Experimental realization of sub-shot-noise quantum imaging

TL;DR

This paper reports the first experimental demonstration of sub-shot-noise quantum imaging using spatial quantum correlations, achieving higher signal-to-noise ratios than classical methods, with potential applications in low-light biological imaging.

Contribution

It presents the first experimental realization of a quantum imaging scheme exploiting spatial quantum correlations for noise reduction.

Findings

Achieved higher SNR compared to classical imaging.

Demonstrated feasibility of quantum imaging with low photon flux.

Showed potential for biological applications with minimal light exposure.

Abstract

Properties of quantum states have disclosed new technologies, ranging from quantum information to quantum metrology. Among them a recent research field is quantum imaging, addressed to overcome limits of classical imaging by exploiting spatial properties of quantum states of light . In particular quantum correlations between twin beams represent a fundamental resource for these studies. One of the most interesting proposed scheme exploits spatial quantum correlations between parametric down conversion light beams for realizing sub-shot-noise imaging of the weak absorbing objects, leading ideally to a noise-free imaging. Here we present the first experimental realisation of this scheme, showing its capability to reach a larger signal to noise ratio (SNR) with respect to classical imaging methods. This work represents the starting point of this quantum technology that can have relevant applications, especially whenever there is a need of a low photon flux illumination (e.g. as with certain biological samples).