Ray-tracing with quantum correlated photons to image a 3D scene

Abstract

To capture the 3D information of a scene, conventional techniques often require multiple 2D images of the scene to be captured from different perspectives. In this work we demonstrate the reconstruction of a scene's 3D information through ray-tracing using quantum correlated photon pairs. By capturing the two photons in different image planes using time-tagging cameras and taking advantage of the position, momentum and time correlation of the photons, the photons' propagation trajectory can be reconstructed. With this information on every photon pair, we were able to demonstrate refocusing, depth of field adjustment and parallax visualization of a 3D scene. With future camera advancements, this technique could achieve a much higher momentum resolution than conventional techniques thus giving larger depth of field and more viewing angles. The high photon correlation and low photon flux from a quantum source also makes the technique well suited for 3D imaging of light sensitive samples.