Quantum illumination with photon-subtracted continuous-variable entanglement

Abstract

Quantum illumination is a protocol where quantum resources are utilized to detect a low-reflectivity object embedded in a bright thermal noise bath. For example, quantum illumination with a two-mode squeezed state (TMSS) provides a 6 dB advantage in the error-probability exponent over the optimal classical illumination. We here consider quantum illumination with the photon-subtracted two-mode squeezed state (PSTMSS). Our result is twofold. First, we show that a much smaller error probability ${P}_{\mathrm{err}}$ could be obtained, meaning that much smaller resources will be required in quantum illumination for a fixed ${P}_{\mathrm{err}}$. Second, quantum illumination with PSTMSS appreciably outperforms its classic correspondence in both low- and high-noise operating regimes, extending the regimes in which quantum illumination is optimal for target detection.