Next Generation Imaging using Sparse Single-Photon Data

This is a PhD research project in Physics, examining a number of aspects of single-photon imaging and related aspects of quantum communication. There is considerable interest in the use of sparse single-photon and three dimensional imaging, which may ultimately use the effects of quantum entanglement. Such developments will necessarily require fast timing of the single-photon detection, which will permit effective, eye-safe time-of-flight based depth profiling at remote distances. The effects of quantum entanglement could be utilised effectively in critical niche examples, such as sub-Rayleigh imaging, wavelength transmutation or quantum secure imaging. These revolutionary changes in imaging technology represent a paradigm shift in terms of functionality, but present a significant challenges in developing bespoke algorithms to extract maximum information from this necessarily sparse data, as well requirements for data fusion with other imaging platforms, for example multispectral and regular video. This PhD will examine a number of aspects if new imaging approaches, including the use of novel detector technologies, new optical configurations and use of optimized signal processing algorithms.