Detection with Quantum Radar

8.1.2020 // Aerospace & Defense Technology

A multinational group of researchers have found a new means of tracking an object on radar even in a noisy thermal environment. The new approach makes use of microwave photons and a physical phenomenon known as quantum entanglement – which may seem like science fiction, but is a demonstrated property of matter.

According to the article:

The working principles behind the device are simple: Instead of using conventional microwaves, the researchers entangle two groups of photons, which are called the signal and idler photons. The signal photons are sent out towards the object of interest, while the idler photons are measured in relative isolation, free from interference and noise. When the signal photons are reflected back, true entanglement between the signal and idler photons is lost but a small amount of correlation survives, creating a signature or pattern that describes the existence or the absence of the target object — regardless of the noise within the environment.

The researchers note that, although this is a proof-of-concept, the research done so far has demonstrated a new method of detection that could already be superior to standard radar in some applications.

Read the full article on aerodefensetech.com