Performance advantage of quantum illumination using symmetric and asymmetric hypothesis testings in lossy environments
Jiandong Zhang, Kaimin Zheng, B. G. Wang, Lijian Zhang · Journal of Physics A Mathematical and Theoretical · 2025
Abstract Quantum illumination is an emerging quantum technology that can detect whether a weakly reflecting target is present or absent in highly noisy environments. For practical purposes, in this paper we analyze the performance limit of a quantum illumination scheme and that of a classical illumination scheme in the presence of photon loss. The performance advantage of quantum illumination over classical illumination is addressed in settings of symmetric and asymmetric hypothesis testings. We analyze the effects of photon loss and discuss the relevant physical mechanisms. In addition, we demonstrate that noiseless linear amplification can be used to enhance the performance advantage. Our results are a foray into confirmation of the validity of quantum illumination and show more realistic performance advantage for practical applications.