Quantum Hypothesis Testing for Exoplanet Detection

Detecting the faint emission of a secondary source in proximity much brighter one has been most severe obstacle for using direct imaging searching exoplanets. Using quantum state discrimination and techniques, we show that can significantly reduce probability error detecting presence weak source, especially when two sources have small angular separations. If intensity ??1 relative to bright find exponent be improved by factor 1/?. We also linear-optical measurements are optimal this regime. Our result serves as complementary method toolbox optical imaging, with applications ranging from astronomy microscopy.Received 3 June 2021Accepted 2 August 2021DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.127.130502© 2021 American Physical SocietyPhysics Subject Headings (PhySH)Research AreasQuantum channelsQuantum metrologyQuantum sensingQuantum Information