Quantum-enhanced plenoptic imaging

Abstract

We will show that photon correlations can be employed to overcome the typical limitations of conventional plenoptic imaging devices, thus leading to quantum-enhanced plenoptic imaging. In particular, we will show an unprecedented combination of resolution and depth of field combined with refocusing capability and depth extension. We will show experimental results obtained in different application scenarios, ranging from microscopy to photography-like protocols. Significant advances in acquisition speed will also be discussed, as achieved by both hardware (e.g., use of SPAD arrays, as opposed to common CMOS and CCD cameras) and software (e.g., compressive sensing, quantum tomography) solutions.

Radiation effects and underlying damage mechanisms in CMOS SPADs

“…Examples of them are time of flight (TOF) light detection and ranging (LIDAR), 3 fluorescence lifetime imaging, 4 Raman spectroscopy 5 and, as a recent addition, quantum imaging. 6 The pure randomness of dark count rate pulses is also exploited for the implementation of hardware random number generators. 7 When suitably connected together, SPADs in an array configuration can be operated as a solid state photomultiplier (or silicon PM), providing a compact, magnetic-field insensitive and versatile replacement for vacuum tube photomultipliers in the implementation of medical diagnostic equipment, for instance for positron emission tomography, 8 and in a number of low light level applications 9 in experimental physics, including Cherenkov light and γ-ray detection and calorimetry.…”