A Robust Super-Resolution Classifier by Nonlinear Optics

TL;DR

This paper introduces a nonlinear optics-based super-resolution classifier that is robust against target scene variations, enabling accurate discrimination of closely spaced light sources beyond the Rayleigh limit with high fidelity.

Contribution

It presents a novel mode projection technique using shaped pump waves in nonlinear optics for robust super-resolution classification, surpassing linear-optics limitations.

Findings

Achieved over 80% classification fidelity in challenging conditions.

Successfully discriminated sources within the Rayleigh limit without prior scene knowledge.

Demonstrated robustness to centroid misalignment and brightness disparities.

Abstract

Spatial-mode projective measurements could achieve super-resolution in remote sensing and imaging, yet their performance is usually sensitive to the parameters of the target scenes. We propose and demonstrate a robust classifier of close-by light sources by using optimized mode projection via nonlinear optics. Contrary to linear-optics based methods using the first few Hermite-Gaussian modes for the projection, here the projection modes are optimally tailored by shaping the pump wave to drive the nonlinear optical process. This minimizes modulation losses and allows high flexibility in designing those modes for robust and efficient measurements. We test this classifier on discriminating one light source and two sources separated well within the Rayleigh limit without prior knowledge of the exact centroid or brightness. Our results show a classification fidelity of over 80% even when the centroid is misaligned by half the source separation, or when one source is four times stronger than the other.