Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:2301.02529 · Science Advances

Experimental quantum imaging distillation with undetected light

Jorge Fuenzalida, Marta Gilaberte Basset, Sebastian Töpfer, Juan P. Torres, Markus Gräfe

Published Aug 30, 2023• 32 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Imaging based on the induced coherence effect makes use of photon pairs to obtain information of an object without detecting the light that probes it. While one photon illuminates the object, only its partner is detected, so no measurement of coincidence events is needed. The sought-after object's information is revealed, observing a certain interference pattern on the detected photon. Here, we demonstrate experimentally that this imaging technique can be made resilient to noise. We introduce an imaging distillation approach based on the interferometric modulation of the signal of interest. We show that our scheme can generate a high-quality image of an object even against noise levels up to 250 times the actual signal of interest. We also include a detailed theoretical explanation of our findings.

DOI
10.1126/sciadv.adg9573

Related papers

Quantum Image Distillation with Undetected Photon Beam

Jorge Fuenzalida, Marta Gilaberte Basset, Sebastian Töpfer +2 more

Imaging via nonlinear interferometers make use of induced coherence and take advantage of photon pair correlations to image an object without detecting the photons that illuminate the object [1]. The object's information is transferred from the photon that illuminates the object to the interference pattern of its partner photon, which is detected [2]. Spontaneous parametric down conversion allows to utilize photon pairs with large spectral separation. This fact becomes relevant if we need to image at wavelengths with detection constraints, e.g., mid-infrared, hyperspectral, or terahertz wavelengths [3], [4].

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)•Jun 26, 2023•0 citations

Noise resilient real-time phase imaging via undetected light

Josué Ricardo León-Torres, Patrick Hendra, Yugant Mukeshbhai Hadiyal +5 more

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.

arXiv:2512.24993•Dec 31, 2025•0 citations

Quantum Hologram Distillation

Jorge Fuenzalida, Marta Gilaberte Basset, Sebastian Töpfer +3 more

A recent holography technique based on induced coherence has been introduced. The technique uses photon pairs wherein one of them illuminates the object, and its partner is detected. The photon illuminating the object is never detected. Here we present a novel technique to distill a hologram with undetected photons.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Jan 1, 2022•1 citation

Noise-Resilient Imaging through Coherence Filtering

Pranay Mohta, Keval Moliya, Aniket Nag +2 more

Noise is a significant challenge in imaging. Conventional intensity-based techniques mitigate noise through various filtering methods, but they often require prior knowledge of noise characteristics and struggle, especially under low-light conditions and with spatially structured noise. Quantum distillation provides enhanced noise rejection; however, its applicability is limited as it requires specialised illumination and substantial modifications to existing imaging setups. In this article, we introduce a coherence-based image distillation approach that separates object from noise by leveraging the difference in their temporal coherence properties. We implement this through our interferometric protocol, which enables imaging based on spatial coherence while simultaneously filtering out noise via temporal coherence. This overcomes the limitations of both intensity-based and quantum distillation methods. We experimentally demonstrate noise resilience by successfully recovering feature-rich objects, such as QR codes and grayscale wheels, obscured by spatially uniform and structured noise 20 times as intense as the object. We further show that our method remains effective for fields with substantial spectral overlap, outperforming spectral filtering in regimes where the latter provides little noise suppression. This approach provides a robust framework for noise-resilient imaging with applications in optical communication, fluorescence microscopy, and biological imaging at both high and low light levels.

physics.opticsCross-listedarXiv:2605.09324•May 12, 2026

Noise Resilient Real‐Time Phase Imaging via Undetected Light

Josué Ricardo León-Torres, Patrick Hendra, Yugant Mukeshbhai Hadiyal +5 more

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, real‐time amplitude and phase imaging in noisy environments is experimentally demonstrated, 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.

Advanced Quantum Technologies•Jul 1, 2026•0 citations

Theory of quantum imaging with undetected photons

Mayukh Lahiri, Radek Łapkiewicz, Gabriela Barreto Lemos +1 more

A novel quantum imaging technique has recently been demonstrated in an experiment, where the photon used for illuminating an object is not detected; the image is obtained by interfering two beams, none of which ever interacts with the object. Here we present a detailed theoretical analysis of the experiment. We show that the object information is present only in the interference term and not in the individual intensities of the interfering beams. We also theoretically establish that the magnification of the imaging system depends on two wavelengths: the average wavelength of the photon that illuminates the object and the average wavelength of the photon that is detected. Our analysis affirms that the imaging process is based on the principle that quantum interference occurs when interferometric path information is unavailable.

arXiv:1504.00402•Physical Review A•Jul 20, 2015•114 citations
Imaging based on the induced coherence effect makes use of photon pairs to obtain information of an object without detecting the light that probes it. While one photon illuminates the object, only its partner is detected, so no measurement of coincidence events is needed. The sought-after object's information is revealed, observing a certain interference pattern on the detected photon. Here, we demonstrate experimentally that this imaging technique can be made resilient to noise. We introduce an imaging distillation approach based on the interferometric modulation of the signal of interest. We show that our scheme can generate a high-quality image of an object even against noise levels up to 250 times the actual signal of interest. We also include a detailed theoretical explanation of our findings.
Imaging via nonlinear interferometers make use of induced coherence and take advantage of photon pair correlations to image an object without detecting the photons that illuminate the object [1]. The object's information is transferred from the photon that illuminates the object to the interference pattern of its partner photon, which is detected [2]. Spontaneous parametric down conversion allows to utilize photon pairs with large spectral separation. This fact becomes relevant if we need to image at wavelengths with detection constraints, e.g., mid-infrared, hyperspectral, or terahertz wavelengths [3], [4].
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.
Noise is a significant challenge in imaging. Conventional intensity-based techniques mitigate noise through various filtering methods, but they often require prior knowledge of noise characteristics and struggle, especially under low-light conditions and with spatially structured noise. Quantum distillation provides enhanced noise rejection; however, its applicability is limited as it requires specialised illumination and substantial modifications to existing imaging setups. In this article, we introduce a coherence-based image distillation approach that separates object from noise by leveraging the difference in their temporal coherence properties. We implement this through our interferometric protocol, which enables imaging based on spatial coherence while simultaneously filtering out noise via temporal coherence. This overcomes the limitations of both intensity-based and quantum distillation methods. We experimentally demonstrate noise resilience by successfully recovering feature-rich objects, such as QR codes and grayscale wheels, obscured by spatially uniform and structured noise 20 times as intense as the object. We further show that our method remains effective for fields with substantial spectral overlap, outperforming spectral filtering in regimes where the latter provides little noise suppression. This approach provides a robust framework for noise-resilient imaging with applications in optical communication, fluorescence microscopy, and biological imaging at both high and low light levels.
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, real‐time amplitude and phase imaging in noisy environments is experimentally demonstrated, 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.
A novel quantum imaging technique has recently been demonstrated in an experiment, where the photon used for illuminating an object is not detected; the image is obtained by interfering two beams, none of which ever interacts with the object. Here we present a detailed theoretical analysis of the experiment. We show that the object information is present only in the interference term and not in the individual intensities of the interfering beams. We also theoretically establish that the magnification of the imaging system depends on two wavelengths: the average wavelength of the photon that illuminates the object and the average wavelength of the photon that is detected. Our analysis affirms that the imaging process is based on the principle that quantum interference occurs when interferometric path information is unavailable.