A factorization scheme will be introduced that potentially permits any N00N or M&M state to be generated and detected. Explicit results for N00N states are presented for N=3. Internal loss within the entanglement generator and external loss due to atmosphere, detectors and targets are modeled. A method using these approaches for quantum entanglement based imaging is provided that gives N times classical resolution, where N is the number photons entangled with explicit results exhibited for N=3. Closed form expressions for the wave function, normalization, density matrix, reduced density matrix, visibility, and probabilities of detection of one through three photons using detectors with general polarization characteristics are provided. Explicit entanglement generator and detector designs are provided in terms of linear and nonlinear photonics devices. The fundamental role of post-selection measurement for generating entanglement is included. A general factorization scheme for M&M states is provided. Discussions of entanglement devices that will produce general M&M states at near visible frequencies are given. A discussion of a bearing measurement device that exhibits both super sensitivity and resolution is provided. Computational results are provided that compare probabilities of detection for three single photon detectors with -45, 45, and 45 degree linear polarization. Results for detecting one to three photons or the vacuum state are compared. Computational results for detecting three photons with these detectors for various values of internal and atmospheric loss are provided. Resolution improvements born of quantum entanglement are shown not to degrade with loss. Loss degrades probability of detection not resolution.

Date Published: 11 May 2011
PDF: 14 pages
Proc. SPIE 8057, Quantum Information and Computation IX, 805708 (11 May 2011); doi: 10.1117/12.883618

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 8057:
Quantum Information and Computation IX
Eric Donkor; Andrew R. Pirich; Howard E. Brandt, Editor(s)