Remote sensing has evolved as a key technology for space exploration and earth observation since its emergence in the 1960s, offering precise, macroscopic, and dynamic capabilities. Despite its advancements, challenges remain in meeting the demands for high-resolution detection due to limitations in aperture size expansion and detector performance, quantum noise posing a fundamental issue. A novel quantum remote sensing approach using optical field quantization and squeezed state light is explored to overcome these obstacles, promising enhanced imaging quality and signal-to-noise ratio. This paper presents a principle prototype of this approach, experimental outcomes, and discusses future prospects in quantum remote sensing.
Remote sensing has evolved as a key technology for space exploration and earth observation since its emergence in the 1960s, offering precise, macroscopic, and dynamic capabilities. Despite its advancements, challenges remain in meeting the demands for high-resolution detection due to limitations in aperture size expansion and detector performance, quantum noise posing a fundamental issue. A novel quantum remote sensing approach using optical field quantization and squeezed state light is explored to overcome these obstacles, promising enhanced imaging quality and signal-to-noise ratio. This paper presents a principle prototype of this approach, experimental outcomes, and discusses future prospects in quantum remote sensing.
High signal to noise ratio and high resolution have been the goal of remote sensing. Since the classical electromagnetic wave is influenced by the diffraction limit and quantum noise limit, increasing the resolution has been close to the limit of remote sensing, In this situation, in 14 years, the author through quantum remote sensing based theory, scientific experiment and the key technology research of the three phases, before the end of December 2014 completed the study of quantum remote sensing principle prototype. Quantum remote sensing prototype is based on the theory of quantum optics, which takes manipulation, preparation and control in quantum optical field as the experimental method. Through the experiment, the results obtained are the coherent light detection imaging resolution 2-3 times. Based on a large number of experimental studies, we completed the key technology of quantum remote sensing principle prototype, scheme design and principle prototype system. Through the test, the technical indicators of the principle prototype meet the requirements, which provide technical foundation for quantum remote sensing engineering principle prototype.
Based on the basic theory, information mechanism and imaging experiment of quantum remote sensing, quantum spectral imaging and quantum detection and identification, as well as the production of principle prototype, the author conducted researches on high-sensitivity target detection of infrared optical quantum squeezing that can breakthrough quantum noise limit, high resolution imaging technical solutions and imaging principle experiment, focusing on realizing of high sensitivity long-range target detection, system composition and working principle of high-resolution imaging experimental device, infrared quantum optical squeezed light preparation and injection, and quantum noiseless amplifier, aiming to resolve relevant crucial problems, which provide technical basis for the production of engineering prototype and its experimental device. Besides, based on the project assignment, the paper firstly introduces research status at home and abroad, the development tendency, and research significance and necessity, then it emphasizes the research target, research content and key technical index, as well as the overall technical solutions, solutions and feasibility analysis for key technologies. Finally, it summarizes benefit analysis, project arrangement and outcome forms.
In recent years, wireless sensing has garnered increasing attention from both industry and academia. Despite its promise, it still faces several fundamental challenges that are difficult to overcome, including hardware thermal noise limitation, antenna size constraint, and limited frequency band resources. At the same time, rapid advancements in quantum technology are driving continuous innovations. By thoroughly understanding the principles of both wireless sensing and quantum physics, we propose a novel paradigm: quantum wireless sensing. Although quantum wireless sensing originates from quantum measurement, its focus has shifted toward practical wireless sensing tasks. This evolution calls for a reassessment of parameter estimation, grounded in the fundamental principles of quantum physics. We believe the unique advantages of quantum receivers - specifically, their high sensitivity and wide frequency range - can unlock powerful quantum sensing capabilities across various domains, including terrestrial, aerospace, and maritime applications. This article articulates our vision for this emerging field, highlighting recent advancements in quantum wireless sensing and exploring promising directions for future research.
Squeezed light, a prominent non-classical state of light, exhibits reduced quantum noise in one quadrature component below the standard quantum limit (SQL). The property enables quantum-enhanced precision measurements, surpassing the SQL in quantum sensing applications. This review comprehensively introduces the fundamental concepts, classifications, and experimental generation techniques of squeezed light. It further explores its pivotal role and recent advances in diverse quantum sensing domains, including interferometry, gravitational wave detection, magnetometry, force sensing, biomedical sensing, and quantum radar. The review covers theoretical foundations of squeezed states (including quadrature operators and classification schemes, experimental generation techniques in atomic ensembles, nonlinear crystals, and fibers), fundamentals of quantum sensing with squeezed light (from quantum noise theory to quantum-enhanced metrology), and quantum-enhanced sensing applications across the aforementioned domains. Finally, future challenges and opportunities in the field are discussed.
Quantum imaging is emerging as a transformative approach for biomedical applications, applying nonclassical properties of light, such as entanglement, squeezing, and quantum correlations, to overcome fundamental limits of conventional techniques. These methods promise superior spatial resolution, enhanced signal-to-noise ratios, improved phase sensitivity, and reduced radiation dose, for potentially safer and more precise imaging for delicate biological samples. Here, we present an overview of quantum optical biomedical imaging technologies as well as quantum-inspired imaging methods, including quantum optical coherence tomography, quantum optical microscopy, ghost imaging, multi-parameter quantum imaging, and imaging with quantum-grade cameras. We describe the operating principles, biomedical applications, and unique advantages of each approach, along with the specific challenges for their translation into real-life practice. This review aims to guide future research toward advancing quantum imaging from experimental demonstrations to impactful biomedical tools.
Remote sensing is an advanced technology to explore the space and acquire earth-space information, with its accurate, comprehensive and dynamic detection and observation ability, RS plays an key role in earth observation, national defense, aerospace and deep space exploration. The advancement of science and urgent demands in economy and other fields put forward higher requirements for RS. Firstly, some important theoretical issues need to be addressed, such as RS information theory, spectral imaging mechanism, electromagnetic radiation transmission model. Secondly, the resolution power of RS instruments and their ability to utilize information needs to be improved. Finally, more detailed and richer RS information is needed during application. Of all these requirements, higher resolution, spectrum resolution, time resolution and further applications of RS are extremely important. While quantum remote sensing (QRS) performs very well in these aspects. QRS study was began in March, 2000, the concept was proposed in early 2001, then QRS technology researches began. The paper firstly introduces its background, concept and research status, its differences and advantages. Then it elaborates QRS research theoretical basis, information mechanism, quantum spectrum imaging research progress of QRS imaging processing. Besides, it emphasizes QRS imaging experimental process, based on which, technical solutions and design of satellite borne QRS active imaging technology and quantum laser radar engineering prototype were proposed, providing technical basis for their application. QRS imaging technology can significantly improve the signal-to-noise ratio and space resolution. Finally, the paper summarizes the researches over the past nineteen years and plans for the future.