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arXiv:quant-ph/0609188 · Europhysics Letters (EPL)

Quantum limits in image processing

V. Delaubert, Nicolas Treps, Claude Fabre, Hans‐A. Bachor, Philippe Réfrégier

Published Jan 18, 2008• 58 citations
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Abstract

We determine the limit to the maximum achievable sensitivity in the estimation of a scalar parameter from the information contained in an optical image in the presence of quantum noise. This limit, based on the Cramer-Rao bound and valid for any image processing protocol, is calculated for a shot noise limited image, for a locally squeezed light, and for a single-mode squeezed light in a well-defined “noise mode”. In addition, we exhibit an image processing protocol that allows us to reach the limits in the different cases.

DOI
10.1209/0295-5075/81/44001

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We determine the limit to the maximum achievable sensitivity in the estimation of a scalar parameter from the information contained in an optical image in the presence of quantum noise. This limit, based on the Cramer-Rao bound and valid for any image processing protocol, is calculated for a shot noise limited image, for a locally squeezed light, and for a single-mode squeezed light in a well-defined “noise mode”. In addition, we exhibit an image processing protocol that allows us to reach the limits in the different cases.
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The quantum Cramer-Rao bound places a limit on the mean square error of a parameter estimation procedure, and its numerical value is determined by the quantum Fisher information. For single parameters, this leads to the well- known Heisenberg limit that surpasses the classical shot-noise limit. When estimating multiple parameters, the situation is more complicated and the quantum Cramer-Rao bound is generally not attainable. In such cases, the use of entanglement typically still offers an enhancement in precision. Here, we demonstrate that entanglement is detrimental when estimating some nuisance parameters. In general, we find that the estimation of coupled parameters does not benefit from either classical or quantum correlations. We illustrate this effect in a practical application for optical gyroscopes.
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As a method to extract information from optical systems, imaging can be viewed as a parameter estimation problem. The fundamental precision in locating one emitter or estimating the separation between two incoherent emitters is bounded below by the multiparameter quantum Cramér-Rao bound (QCRB). Multiparameter QCRB gives an intrinsic bound in parameter estimation. We determine the ultimate potential of quantum-limited imaging for improving the resolution of a far-field, diffraction-limited optical field within the paraxial approximation. We show that the quantum Fisher information matrix (QFIm) in about one emitter’s position is independent on its true value. We calculate the QFIm of two unequal-brightness emitters’ relative positions and intensities; the results show that only when the relative intensity and centroids of two-point sources, including longitudinal and transverse directions, are known exactly, the separation in different directions can be estimated simultaneously with finite precision. Our results give the upper bounds on certain far-field imaging technology and will find wide use in applications from microscopy to astrometry.