Resolution limits of spatial mode demultiplexing with noisy detection


Abstract in English

We consider the problem of estimating the spatial separation between two mutually incoherent point light sources using the super-resolution imaging technique based on spatial mode demultiplexing with noisy detectors. We show that in the presence of noise the resolution of the measurement is limited by the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the minimum resolvable spatial separation has a characteristic dependence of $sim$SNR$^{-1/2}$. Several detection techniques, including direct photon counting, as well as homodyne and heterodyne detection are considered.

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