# Thresholded Quantum LIDAR -- Exploiting Photon-Number-Resolving Detection

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a quantum LIDAR technique that uses photon-number-resolving detectors to enhance SNR by filtering low photon counts, outperforming classical methods in certain conditions.

## Contribution

The paper presents a novel quantum range-finding method leveraging photon-number-resolving detection, which has no classical equivalent and improves SNR under specific conditions.

## Key findings

- The technique surpasses classical SNR in certain regimes.
- Simulation confirms improved rangefinding performance.
- No classical analog exists for this photon filtering approach.

## Abstract

We present a technique that improves the signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) of range-finding, sensing, and other light-detection applications. The technique filters out low photon numbers using photon-number-resolving detectors (PNRDs). This technique has no classical analog and cannot be done with classical detectors. We investigate the properties of our technique and show under what conditions the scheme surpasses the classical SNR. Finally, we simulate the operation of a rangefinder, showing improvement with a low number of signal samplings and confirming the theory with a high number of signal samplings.