Discriminating orthogonal single-photon images

Abstract

We can encode an image from an orthogonal basis set onto a single photon from a downconverted pair via the use of an amplitude mask. We can then discriminate the image imprinted on the photon from other images in the set using holographic-matched filtering techniques. We demonstrate this procedure experimentally for an image space of two objects, and we discuss the possibility of applying this method to a much larger image space. This process could have important implications for the manipulation of images at the quantum level.