Ultra-broadband Femtosecond Ghost Imaging by exploiting coherence-tailored semiconductor-based light sources: basics and applications

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Wolfgang Elsäßer
• Subject Area: Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas ; Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2016 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 280847593

The proposal targets on the first experimental realization of ghost imaging by ultra-broadband amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) based light, emitted by semiconductor-based superluminescent diodes. We exploit the unique property that its first and second order coherence (i.e in field and intensity) can be optimally tailored to achieve finally a true thermal light source, i.e. a source being simultaneously incoherent in first and second order. The ghost imaging application of this source requires novel ultrafast detection techniques on femtosecond correlation timescales adopted to this broad spectrum. The realization and characterisation of these detection techniques and the investigations of the coherence properties of the emitters are in the centre of the application. Comprehensive characterizations of the ghost imaging properties are needed in order to fully explore the understanding and measure the potential of the realized ghost imaging against classical imaging procedures with respect to resolution and limits. We expect that this ultra-broadband ghost imaging on femtosecond correlation times based on mature and sophisticated optoelectronic semiconductor emitters will lead to the realization of real world applications with improved novel imaging performances which demonstration is finally intended within the proposal by three well-selected application examples. Thus the proposal represents quantum optics basic research investigations exploiting an ASE semiconductor source including their wide-spread field of applications.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants