Quantum-Enhanced Interferometric Imaging: Advancing Very-Long-Baseline Interferometry for Astronomy

Watch a 57-minute lecture exploring groundbreaking advances in quantum-enhanced interferometric imaging for astronomical applications. Learn how distributed entanglement and quantum resources can revolutionize very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI) to achieve unprecedented spatial resolution in visible and near-infrared astronomy. Discover the technical challenges of traditional VLBI methods and how quantum-enhanced techniques using path-entangled, single-photon states overcome local-oscillator shot-noise limitations. Follow along as Professor Brian Smith from the University of Oregon demonstrates a proof-of-principle laboratory experiment using double slits illuminated by pseudo-thermal light and heralded single-photon states to showcase the potential for improved imaging of astronomical phenomena like exoplanets, stellar surfaces, accretion disks, and black hole event horizons.