Revealing the embedded phase in single-pixel quantum ghost imaging

Abstract

Single-pixel quantum ghost imaging involves the exploitation of non-local photon spatial correlations to image objects with light that has not interacted with them and, using intelligent spatial scanning with projective masks, reduces detection to a single pixel. Despite many applications, extension to complex amplitude objects remains challenging. Here, we reveal that the necessary interference for phase retrieval is naturally embedded in the correlation measurements formed from traditional projective masks in bi-photon quantum ghost imaging. Using this, we develop a simple approach to obtain the full phase and amplitude information of complex objects. We demonstrate straightforward reconstruction without ambiguity using objects exhibiting spatially varying structures from phase steps to gradients as well as complex amplitudes. This technique could be an important step toward imaging the phase of light-sensitive structures in biological matter.