Quantum Imaging with Undetected Photons

Abstract

Indistinguishable quantum states interfere, but the mere possibility of obtaining information that could distinguish between overlapping states inhibits quantum interference. Quantum interference imaging can outperform classical imaging or even have entirely new features. Here, we introduce and experimentally demonstrate a quantum imaging concept that relies on the indistinguishability of the possible sources of a photon that remains undetected. Our experiment uses pair creation in two separate down-conversion crystals. While the photons passing through the object are never detected, we obtain images exclusively with the sister photons that do not interact with the object. Therefore the object to be imaged can be either opaque or invisible to the detected photons. Moreover, our technique allows the probe wavelength to be chosen in a range for which suitable sources and/or detectors are unavailable. Our experiment is a prototype in quantum information where knowledge can be extracted by and about a photon that is never detected.