Quantum projection ghost imaging

TL;DR

This paper develops a quantum theory for ghost imaging using quantum statistical correlations, introducing quantum projection imaging that enhances image quality in low-light conditions.

Contribution

It introduces quantum projection imaging based on photon number correlations, demonstrating improved image quality over traditional ghost imaging methods.

Findings

Vacuum state projection yields negative images with high contrast.

Quantum projection imaging outperforms conventional ghost imaging in low-light.

Experimental results match theoretical predictions.

Abstract

We establish a quantum theory of computational ghost imaging and propose quantum projection imaging where object information can be reconstructed by quantum statistical correlation between a certain photon number of bucket signal and DMD random patterns. The reconstructed image can be negative or positive depending on the chosen photon number. In particular, the vacuum state (zero-number) projection produces a negative image with better visibility and contrast-to-noise ratio. The experimental results of quantum projection imaging agree well with theoretical simulations and show that, under the same measurement condition, vacuum projection imaging is superior to conventional and fast first-photon ghost imaging in low-light illumination.