Quantum mechanics has shown that light has inherent "uncertainties" in its features, manifested as moment-to-moment fluctuations in its properties.
Controlling these fluctuations—which represent a sort of "noise"—can improve detection of faint objects, produce better amplified images, and allow workers to more accurately position laser beams.
[12] Another study determines that waves created by Raman pulses have narrower peaks and have a width that is four times smaller than the diffraction limit in classical lithography.
The goal of these processes is to achieve higher levels of accuracy than equivalent measurements from classical optics.
The basic working mechanism typically relies on using optical states of light which have squeezing or two-mode entanglement.
Coincidence counting of the detected photons permits more recognizable interference leading to less noise and higher resolution.
A key feature of quantum illumination is entanglement between the idler and reflected signal is lost completely.
In the future, it could be used to store patterns of data in quantum computers and allow communication through highly encrypted information [citation needed].
The military aims to use ghost imaging to detect enemies and objects in situations where the naked eye and traditional cameras fail.
For example, if an enemy or object is hidden in a cloud of smoke or dust, ghost imaging can help an individual to know where a person is located and if they are an ally or foe.
In the medical field, imaging is used to increase the accuracy and lessen the amount of radiation exposed to a patient during x-rays.
Similar to the military, it is used to look at objects that cannot be seen with the human eye such as bones and organs with a light with beneficial properties.