Quantum limits in image processing

V. Delaubert (1, 2) , Nicolas Treps (1) , C. Fabre (1) , H. A. Bachor (2) , Philippe Réfrégier (3)

1 LKB (Jussieu) - Laboratoire Kastler Brossel
2 ARC - Centre of Excel lence for Quantum-Atom Optics,
3 FRESNEL - Institut FRESNEL

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.

Mots clés: Nonclassical field states; Imaging and optical processing; Quantum fluctuations; quantum noise; and quantum jumps

Domaines: Physique Quantique [quant-ph]; Traitement du signal et de l'image [eess.SP]; Traitement du signal et de l'image [eess.SP]

V. Delaubert, Nicolas Treps, C. Fabre, H. A. Bachor, Philippe Réfrégier. Quantum limits in image processing. EPL - Europhysics Letters, 2008, 81 (4), pp.44001. ⟨hal-00195411⟩