빛의 양자역학적 성질인 얽힘(entanglement)을 이용한 양자 고스트 이미징(quantum ghost imaging)은 고전적인 동시계수 측정(classical coincidence measurement)에 의해서도 정성적으로 재현됨이 알려져 있다[1,2]. 본 실험에서는 진행방향에서 고전적인 상관관계를 가지는 빛을 이용하여 고전 동시계수 이미징(classical coincidence imaging) 실험을 수행하여 양자역학적 얽힘 상태에서 볼 수 있는 현상들을 관측하고 고스트 이미지가 나오는 원리를 분석하였다. 고전적인 상관관계를 가지는 광원은 아르곤이온 레이저에서 나오는 빛의 경로를 스피커에 부착되어 회전하는 거울에 반사시켜 진행방향에 대해 상관관계를 가지도록 만들어 사용하였다. Quantum ghost imaging uses quantum mechanically entangled photons to form an image of an object. The quantum ghost image is also obtained by means of classical coincidence measurements with a classically correlated light source[1,2]. In this work we performed classical coincidence imaging experiments with classically correlated beams in their direction of propagation. We observed the ghost interference patterns which were usually made by quantum mechanically entangled states and we also analyze in detail the mechanism of the ghost imaging with classically correlated lights. We made? the classically correlated source with an Ar laser and controlled the direction of the light by a mirror? mounted on a small speaker.
빛의 양자역학적 성질인 얽힘(entanglement)을 이용한 양자 고스트 이미징(quantum ghost imaging)은 고전적인 동시계수 측정(classical coincidence measurement)에 의해서도 정성적으로 재현됨이 알려져 있다[1,2]. 본 실험에서는 진행방향에서 고전적인 상관관계를 가지는 빛을 이용하여 고전 동시계수 이미징(classical coincidence imaging) 실험을 수행하여 양자역학적 얽힘 상태에서 볼 수 있는 현상들을 관측하고 고스트 이미지가 나오는 원리를 분석하였다. 고전적인 상관관계를 가지는 광원은 아르곤이온 레이저에서 나오는 빛의 경로를 스피커에 부착되어 회전하는 거울에 반사시켜 진행방향에 대해 상관관계를 가지도록 만들어 사용하였다. Quantum ghost imaging uses quantum mechanically entangled photons to form an image of an object. The quantum ghost image is also obtained by means of classical coincidence measurements with a classically correlated light source[1,2]. In this work we performed classical coincidence imaging experiments with classically correlated beams in their direction of propagation. We observed the ghost interference patterns which were usually made by quantum mechanically entangled states and we also analyze in detail the mechanism of the ghost imaging with classically correlated lights. We made? the classically correlated source with an Ar laser and controlled the direction of the light by a mirror? mounted on a small speaker.
Coincidence, or ghost, imaging is a technique that uses two correlated optical fields to form an image of an object. In this work we identify aspects of coincidence imaging which can be performed with classically correlated light sources and aspects which require quantum entanglement. We find that entangled photons allow high-contrast, high-resolution imaging to be performed at any distance from the light source. We demonstrate this fact by forming ghost images in the near and far fields of an entangled photon source, noting that the product of the resolutions of these images is a factor of 3 better than that which is allowed by classical diffraction theory.
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.
빛의 양자역학적 성질인 얽힘(entanglement)을 이용한 양자 고스트 이미징(quantum ghost imaging)은 고전적인 동시계수 측정(classical coincidence measurement)에 의해서도 정성적으로 재현됨이 알려져 있다. 본 실험에서는 진행방향에서 고전적인 상관관계를 가지는 빛을 이용하여 고전 동시계수 이미징(classical coincidence imaging) 실험을 수행하여 양자역학적 얽힘 상태에서 볼 수 있는 현상들을 관측하고 고스트 이미지가 나오는 원리를 분석하였다. 고전적인 상관관계를 가지는 광원은 아르곤이온 레이저에서 나오는 빛의 경로를 스피커에 부착되어 회전하는 거울에 반사시켜 진행방향에 대해 상관관계를 가지도록 만들어 사용하였다.
“Ghost” imaging is a process utilizing entangled photon pairs, by which an image is produced indirectly, using photons that have never interacted with the object being imaged. We can do this by taking advantage of correlations inherent in Spontaneous Parametric Down Conversion (SPDC), which is used to produce these entangled photon pairs. SPDC is a classically forbidden process in which a photon of a high frequency is converted into a pair of photons. The change in frequency makes this a nonlinear process. Processes like absorption, reflection, refraction, and polarization are linear processes. These can affect the properties of a light field but cannot change the frequency. SPDC allows us to produce a pair of correlated photons. By utilizing a coincidence-counter, we will be able to measure photon pairs from the source beam arriving within a narrow time interval. With this restriction, we can limit our attention to these correlated photons. One of these photons, which does interact with the object to be imaged, is used to turn on a “camera” detecting the other photon. It is the correlations between these photons that allow for ghost imaging, the reconstruction of the image of an object, even though the object never interacts directly with those single photons that are going to our camera.
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 process of image recording is arguably one of the most prevalent technology in modern society and continues to inspire vast swathes of research due to its widespread applications spanning military, medical and consumer spheres. The danger present in a field so broad is that separate niches of research can become isolated with critical advancements struggling to traverse the gulfs between. Unifying the field is the omnipresent drive to acquire an ever increasing quality of images at the lowest possible cost, a goal which warrants continual fundamental research. Quantum entanglement exhibits many intriguing characteristics which make it a suitable tool for such fundamental investigations. The process of spontaneous parametric down- conversion has offered a yet unbeaten strength of photon correlations with the quantum nature of their production providing a reliable and controllable source of single-photons. Arising from these attributes is the technique known as ghost imaging. Though now known to be classically possible, the strength of entanglement generated correlations is yet to be surpassed. This thesis implemented this technique in tandem with the cutting edge detector technology in order to probe the fundamentals of image formation. This form of imaging allowed us to subject an object to a known number of photons whilst acquiring structural information from spatially separate, correlated photons which never interact with the object. The strength of the produced correlations allow us to acquire low background, high resolution images with far less light than traditional techniques and affords many novel benefits. The possibility of incorporating this technique with pre-existent regimes allowed me to draw from advancements made across the landscape of imaging research. Although referred to as “quantum ghost imaging” throughout this work, it should be noted that the intrinsic quantum nature of the correlations was not directly relied upon but provided an ideal source of strongly correlated photons. In order to determine the limits of a traditional imaging system this thesis first sought to answer the question: “can an image of an object be reconstructed from fewer photons than ii pixels in the image?” In chapter 3 I approached this from the perspective of compression, which minimises redundant information within a signal. This lead to the development of an imaging regime capable of imaging with far fewer photons than pixels in the image. By employing assumptions about the sparsity of natural images I was able to reconstruct an image of a biological sample containing an average of less than one photon per image pixel. Having reduced the number of photons necessary to form an image I then considered alternative methods for reducing the optical energy impinging on a sample. I sought to answer the question: “can non-degenerate ghost imaging reduce the optical energy impinged upon an object during imaging”. The photons produced in SPDC need not be of similar wavelengths, however may be chosen far from degeneracy, i.e. non-degenerate. In Chapter 4 I presented a ghost imaging system which illuminated the object with infrared light whilst recording the structural information via entangled visible photons. This allowed for objects opaque to visible light to be imaged in high quality without the need for a spatially resolving infrared detector, the state of the art of which lags behind their silicon based visible counterparts. I presented the systems capabilities by imaging objects which were etched into a gold substrate layered on to silicon, both of which are opaque to visible light. Not only did a reduction in energy deposition arise from the lower energy probe wavelength but applying the reconstruction techniques from the previous chapter brought that down to as low as ≈16 nJcm−2s−1. Seeking to expand the repertoire of applications, the low-light capabilities of my ghost imaging were applied to the technique of phase-contrast microscopy in chapter 5. Typically applied to translucent objects, phase-contrast imaging transfers phase information, i.e. the refractive index changed within the object, into an intensity distribution through the use of a phase-filter. In many of these applications the objects tend to be biological in nature, where high optical exposure can result in bleaching or damage. By applying the phase-filter non- locally, i.e. to the photons correlated to those probing the object, I acquired edge-enhanced images of a phase object whilst illuminating with significantly fewer photons than standard phase-contrast techniques. Having displayed the broad applicability of our low-light ghost imaging system, I then sought to determine the optical resolution in chapter 6. The resolution limits of ghost imaging are not clear at first glance owing to the resolutions dependence upon the strength of spatial correlations. As the length over which the spatial correlations are produced can be brought below the standard diffraction limit, it would seem the resolution of the system could be brought similarly low. To clarify this I artificially restricted the number of spatial modes in each of the correlated beams to uncover the physically realisable resolution. I show that although the resolution of a ghost imaging system to be fundamentally determined by the strength of the correlations, this can never be reached due to the inherent limitations of the intervening imaging system.