Quantum imaging at 10 volumetric images per second

The correlation properties of light provide an outstanding tool to overcome the limitations of traditional imaging techniques. A relevant case is represented by correlation plenoptic imaging (CPI), a quantum imaging protocol employing spatio-temporal correlations to address the main limitations of conventional light-field imaging, namely, the poor spatial resolution and the reduced change of perspective for 3D imaging. However, the application potential of high-resolution quantum imaging is limited, in practice, by the need to collect a large number of frames to retrieve correlations. This creates a gap, unacceptable for many relevant tasks, between the time performance of quantum imaging and that of traditional imaging methods. In this article, we address this issue by exploiting the photon number correlations intrinsic in chaotic light, in combination with a cutting-edge ultrafast sensor made of a large array of single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs). A novel single-lens CPI scheme is employed to demonstrate quantum imaging at an acquisition speed of 10 volumetric images per second. Our results place quantum imaging at a competitive edge and prove its potential in practical applications.