Noise resilient real-time phase imaging via undetected light

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a quantum imaging technique that achieves real-time amplitude and phase imaging in noisy environments at up to 4 Hz, overcoming previous limitations under high-noise conditions.

Contribution

The authors extend quantum off-axis holography to enable real-time imaging in noisy settings, with acquisition rates up to 4 Hz, surpassing previous noise limitations.

Findings

Real-time imaging at 4 Hz in noisy environments.

Successful extraction of amplitude and phase information under high noise.

Quantum imaging system resilient to noise exceeding signal by an order of magnitude.

Abstract

Quantum imaging with undetected light has recently emerged as a technique in which quantum correlations and nonlinear interferometry are combined to decouple illumination and detection paths. This approach has been more recently extended and combined with digital phase-shifting holography and off-axis holography to extract both the amplitude and phase information of a sample relying on single-photon interference. Despite these advantages, implementing the technique in real-world scenarios where the observed system is subject to environmental noise and dynamic variations remains challenging. The primary limitation lies in the inability of quantum imaging systems to retrieve object information in real time under high-noise conditions. Here, we experimentally demonstrate real-time amplitude and phase imaging in noisy environments, building upon our previous implementation of quantum off-axis holography. Our results demonstrate real-time imaging at acquisition rates up to 4~Hz, even when the noise level exceeds the signal by an order of magnitude.