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  • 1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore. eletmk@nus.edu.sg

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Quantum mechanics reveals that direct detection is superior to local measurements for astronomical interferometry, even with low photon flux. This finding highlights quantum nonlocality in classic optics.

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Area of Science:

  • Quantum Optics
  • Astronomy
  • Classical Optics

Background:

  • Astronomical interferometry typically combines optical paths directly (Young's double-slit experiment).
  • Optical loss in direct detection limits efficiency, prompting research into alternative measurement strategies.
  • The fundamental question is whether separate optical measurements can match direct detection's performance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if spatially local measurement schemes can achieve comparable performance to nonlocal methods in interferometry.
  • To investigate the efficiency of estimating mutual coherence for bipartite thermal light under low photon flux conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Application of quantum mechanics and estimation theory.
  • Comparison of spatially local measurement schemes (e.g., heterodyne detection) with coherently nonlocal measurements (e.g., direct detection).

Main Results:

  • Spatially local measurement schemes are fundamentally inferior to coherently nonlocal measurements for estimating mutual coherence.
  • This inferiority is particularly pronounced in bipartite thermal light scenarios with low average photon flux.
  • Direct detection demonstrates superior performance compared to heterodyne detection in this context.

Conclusions:

  • Coherently nonlocal measurements, like direct detection, offer superior performance in astronomical interferometry under specific conditions.
  • The study reveals an overlooked signature of quantum nonlocality within a classical optics experiment.
  • This work challenges assumptions about measurement strategies in optical interferometry, particularly at low light levels.