Bounds on probability of detection error in quantum-enhanced noise radar

Abstract

Several methods for exploiting quantum effects in radar have been proposed, and some have been shown theoretically to outperform any classical radar scheme. Here, a model is presented of quantum-enhanced noise radar enabling a similar analysis. This quantum radar scheme has a potential advantage in terms of ease of implementation insofar as it requires no quantum memory. A significant feature of the model introduced is the inclusion of quantum noise consistent with the Heisenberg uncertainty principle applied to simultaneous determination of field quadratures. The model enables direct comparison to other quantum and classical radar schemes. A bound on the probability of an error in target detection is shown to match that of the optimal classical-state scheme. The detection error is found to be typically higher than for ideal quantum illumination, but orders of magnitude lower than for the most similar classical noise radar scheme.