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arXiv:1610.05002 · Optics Express

Studying fermionic ghost imaging with independent photons

Jianbin Liu, Yu Zhou, Huaibin Zheng, Hui Chen, Fuli Li, Zhuo Xu

Published Dec 9, 2016• 3 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Ghost imaging with thermal fermions is calculated via two-particle interference based on the superposition principle for different alternatives in Feynman's path integral theory. It is found that ghost imaging with fully polarized thermal fermions can be simulated by ghost imaging with fully polarized thermal bosons and classical particles. Photons in pseudothermal light are employed to experimentally study fermionic ghost imaging. Ghost imaging with thermal bosons and fermions is discussed based on the point-to-point (spot) correlation between the object and image planes. The employed method offers an efficient guidance for future ghost imaging with real thermal fermions, which may also be generalized to study other second-order interference phenomena with fermions.

DOI
10.1364/oe.24.029226

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Ghost imaging with thermal fermions is calculated via two-particle interference based on the superposition principle for different alternatives in Feynman's path integral theory. It is found that ghost imaging with fully polarized thermal fermions can be simulated by ghost imaging with fully polarized thermal bosons and classical particles. Photons in pseudothermal light are employed to experimentally study fermionic ghost imaging. Ghost imaging with thermal bosons and fermions is discussed based on the point-to-point (spot) correlation between the object and image planes. The employed method offers an efficient guidance for future ghost imaging with real thermal fermions, which may also be generalized to study other second-order interference phenomena with fermions.
One of the most surprising consequences of quantum mechanics is the nonlocal multi-particle interference observable in joint-detection of distant particle-detectors. Ghost imaging is one of such phenomena. Two types of ghost imaging have been experimentally demonstrated since 1995. Type-one ghost imaging uses entangled photon pairs as the light source. The nonlocal point-to-point image-forming correlation is the result of a constructive-destructive superposition among a large number of biphoton amplitudes, a nonclassical entity corresponding to different yet indistinguishable alternative ways of producing a joint-detction event between distant photodetectors. Type-two ghost imaging uses chaotic-thermal light. The type-two image-forming correlation is the result of interferences between paired two-photon amplitudes, corresponding to two different yet indistinguishable alternative ways of triggering a join-detection event by two independent photons. A great deal of confusion about ghost imaging comes from "ghost shadow". Similar to x-ray photography, a ghost shadow can be made in coincidences by "blocking-partial blocking-unblocking" of either co-rotating laser beams or classically correlated "speckles". "Ghost shadow" is indeed a classical phenomenon. The physics of ghost imaging, however, is fundamentally different. This article is aimed at exploring the nonlocal two-photon interference nature of ghost imaging.
One of the most surprising consequences of quantum mechanics is the nonlocal behavior of a multi-particle system. Although questions regarding fundamental issues of quantum theory still exist, nonclassical surprises have started to play important roles in practical applications. Ghost imaging is one of these exciting areas. Two types of ghost imaging have been experimentally demonstrated since 1995. Type-one ghost imaging uses entangled photon pairs and type-two ghost imaging uses chaotic light. The unique point-to-point image-forming correlation between the object and image planes in ghost imaging is the result of a constructive-destructive interference which involves the nonlocal superposition of two-photon amplitudes, a nonclassical entity corresponding to different yet indistinguishable alternative ways of triggering a joint-detection event. This talk will explore and analyze the quantum nature of ghost imaging. It is true that classical challenges have never stopped. Quantum? Classical? A hot debate is currently focused on ghost imaging. This talk will defend the quantum mechanical point of view.
The experimental study of second-order interference with fermions is much more difficult than that with bosons. Inspired by the conclusion that the behavior of two identical classical particles has exactly half fermionic and half bosonic characteristics [Phys. Rev. A88, 012130 (2013)PLRAAN1050-294710.1103/PhysRevA.88.012130], we have studied the second-order interference of fermions via the second-order interference of photons in Hanbury Brown–Twiss and Hong–Ou–Mandel interferometers, respectively. The experimental results are consistent with the theoretical predictions, which may serve as guidance for future interference experiments with fermions. The employed method offers an interesting and convenient way to study the coherence of fermions.
Distinct from previous principle-demonstrations, this practical quantum ghost imaging experiment presents the first set of two-photon images captured by a photon counting CCD camera by means of jointly counting 'reflected' photons from the object. In fact, the CCD camera was not 'looking' at the object at all. Rather, the CCD camera was facing the chaotic light source. The output of the CCD camera was used for coincidence registration of the two-photon joint-detection events with another photon counting detector which simply collects all randomly reflected photons from the surface of the object. It is also interesting to find that the observed two-photon images are 'distortion-free', i.e., any disturbances made along the light path has no effect on the quality of the image. These experimental observations are not only useful for practical field-applications, but also important from fundamental point of view. The experiment evidences a rejection of the 'projection shadow' idea in a non-deniable way and further explores the two-photon interference nature of thermal light ghost imaging.
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The first- and second-order temporal interference between two independent thermal and laser light beams is discussed by employing the superposition principle in Feynman's path integral theory. It is concluded that the first-order temporal interference pattern can not be observed by superposing two independent thermal and laser light beams, while the second-order temporal interference pattern can be observed in the same condition. These predictions are experimentally verified by employing pseudothermal light to simulate thermal light. The relationship between the indistinguishability of alternatives and photons is analyzed. The conclusions are helpful to understand the interference of different kinds of light and the difference between the coherence properties of thermal and laser light.