Information gain in Multi-pixel Acquisition Ghost Imaging Techniques

Project Information

IMAGIT

Grant agreement ID: 706410

DOI

10.3030/706410

Project closed

EC signature date 24 February 2016

Start date 1 January 2017

End date 31 December 2018

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 183 454,80

EU contribution

€ 183 454,80

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW
United Kingdom

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - IMAGIT (Information gain in Multi-pixel Acquisition Ghost Imaging Techniques)

Reporting period: 2017-01-01 to 2018-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The objectives of the IMAGIT project was to extend ghost imaging techniques by studying the use of ghost imaging techniques in a multi-pixel detector context and to show the advantage to use extra spatial resolution in term of extracted information about an imaged object. A series of experiments were to be realised along these lines to develop new types of imaging techniques inspired by ghost imaging. Two type of techniques that are using either quantum correlations or classical correlations had to be explored that could lead to different advantages. The potential application of such new imaging techniques includes remote sensing, the microscopy of delicate sample and potentially building new type of cameras inspired by single pixel cameras, but also the development of new quantum information protocols based on imaging.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The work performed during the realisation of the project has consisted of implementing experimentally the different imaging schemes proposed. Four main realisations have been performed during the project. Amongst these realisations, three involved the use of quantum correlations,and one the use of classical/computational correlations.
We were first able to implement experimentally a Fourier Ptychographic imaging technique through a scheme using quantum correlations. It has been demonstrated that it is possible image both the phase and amplitude of an object in this context and to show additionally an increased resolution of the acquired images. In a second realisation and using a similar scheme we were also able to demonstrate the violation of a Bell inequality in an image. This demonstrate the importance of spatially resolved detection in the context of quantum optics leading to the demonstration of one of the most fundamental properties of quantum mechanics by mean of imaging. This demonstration can potentially led to new ways of extracting the information about an object through harnessing Bell-like violating behaviours in the context of imaging. We were also able to demonstrate in a third realisation the use of a spatially resolved detection of two entangled photons to demonstrate a gain in resolution in imaging by harnessing two photons spatially resolved correlations.
Finally using classical/computational techniques we were able to implement non-conventional type of imaging extracting angular information about a scene.
During the project, the fellow co-authored 11 publications (3 of which are currently under review and 2 under preparation). One of these publications is accepted in the journal Optica, and another one is accepted in the journal Nature Reviews Physics. The fellow collaborated with around 20 collaborators in 5 different European and international institutions. In addition, the fellow presented his work in 9 conferences and seminars (of which 1 was an invited conference, and 1 was an invited summer school). The fellow was also able to disseminate the project results through his involvement in outreach events.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

In summary the project was a success and has led to the development and demonstration of new imaging techniques using classical and quantum correlations to improve performances of imaging. The project should find applications and have impact in a variety of domains including the microscopy of delicate sample, building new type of cameras inspired by the single pixel camera, but also the development of new quantum information protocols based on imaging. The quantum techniques developed during the course of the project could present important advantages in a medical context to help reduce potential harmful light doses exposure when a patient body is probed by ionising electromagnetic fields.

Computational Ghost imaging camera implementation