System and processor implemented method for improved image quality and generating an image of a target illuminated by quantum particles

• US 9,131,128 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2014
• Issued: 09/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Meyers, Ronald E., Deacon, Keith S.
• Primary Examiner(s): ENTEZARI, MICHELLE M
• Application Number:
  US14/303,078
• Publication Number:
  US 20140340570A1
• Time in Patent Office: 453 Days
• Field of Search: 382/167
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10004 Still image; Photographic image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10024 Color image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10032 Satellite or aerial image; Remote sensing
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/20216 Image averaging
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/20224 Image subtraction
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 5/50 using two or more images, e.g. averaging or subtraction
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 5/77 Retouching; Inpainting; Scratch removal
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 5/90 Dynamic range modification of images or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 5/94 based on local image properties, e.g. for local contrast enhancement
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/211 Ghost signal cancellation H04N23/81 takes precedence

Abstract

According to some embodiments, system and methods for image improvement comprise: receiving a plurality of frames of a given region of interest, the frames comprised of a plurality of pixels; determining, based on a quantum property of the frames, a normalized pixel intensity value for each pixel of each of the plurality of frames; and generating an improved image of the given region of interest based on the plurality of frames and the corresponding normalized pixel intensity values for the frames, the order of the image being two. Also embodiments for generating an image of a target illuminated by quantum entangled particles, such as, photons, are disclosed.

Claims

1. A system for generating an image of a target illuminated by quantum entangled particles comprising:

an illumination system comprising;

at least one source of quantum entangled particle pairs; and

a beamsplitter receiving the quantum entangled particle pairs, such that one particle from each pair of particle generated by each source interfere on the beamsplitter causing the interfered particles to be directed towards a target and the remaining particle pairs are not directed towards the target,

wherein the illumination system is configured so that the interfered particles interact with the target;

a measuring system comprising a first detector and a second detector that are configured to perform at least one spatially resolved measurement of particles, where the first detector measures one of the remaining particle pairs and the second detector measures the other of the remaining particle pairs; and

a processor configured to generate an image of the target based upon the correlated measured values and spatial information from the first detector and the second detector.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the illumination system comprise:

a single source of entangled particle pairs; and

a pair of beamsplitters receiving the entangled particles pairs, such that one particle from each pair of particles generated by each source interfere on the beamsplitter causing the interfered particles to be directed towards a target and the remaining particle pairs to be retained;

wherein the illumination system is configured so that the interfered particles interact with the target causing absorption at the target entangling the retained particle pairs.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured so that the interfered particles interact with the target causing absorption at the target entangling the retained particle pairs.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the system is configured so that the interfered particles interact with the target causing reflection at the target and further comprises optics or focusing components and measurement electronics wherein the measurement of the reflected entangled particles entangled the retained particle pairs.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the measurements of the reflected entangled particles and the measurements of the retained quantum particles are processed by the at least one processor to generate an at least second order improved image of the target.

11. A method for generating an image of a target illuminated by quantum entangled particles using the system of claim 1, the method comprising:

performing at least one spatially resolved measurement of particles, wherein the first detector measures one of the remaining particle pairs and the second detector measures the other of the remaining particle pairs; and

generating an image of the target based upon the correlated measured values and spatial information from the first detector and the second detector.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the interfered particles interact with the target causing absorption at the target entangling the retained particle pairs.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the interfered particles interact with the target causing absorption at the target entangling the retained particle pairs.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the interfered particles interact with the target causing reflection at the target, and measurement of the reflected entangled particles entangles the retained particle pairs.

2. The system of 1, further comprising:

electronics configured to determine coincidences based on measurements of the first and second detectors which occur within a predetermined time interval.

3. The system of 2, wherein the processor is configured to generate at least a second order image using the coincidences.

4. The system of 2, wherein the processor is configured to apply an image improvement method for generating at least a second order image using at least one measurable quantum property.

5. The system of 1, further comprising an optical delay element configured to introduce a time delay for particles reaching the measuring system.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the optical delay element is further configured to be operated so as to generate an absorption image of the target, a reflection image of the target, or both.

12. The method of 11, further comprising:

determining coincidences based on measurements of the first and second detectors which occur within a predetermined time interval.

13. The method of 12, wherein generating the image of the target comprises generating at least a second order image using the determined coincidences.

14. The method of 11, further comprising:

applying an image improvement method for generating at least a second order image using at least one measurable quantum property.

15. The method of 11, further comprising:

introducing a time delay for particles reaching the measuring system.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

generating an absorption image of the target, a reflection image of the target, or both.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

generating an image of the target and/or range information.