Thresholded quantum LIDAR in turbulent media

Abstract

Light detection and ranging is a key technology for a number of applications, from relatively simple distance ranging to environmental monitoring. When dealing with low photon numbers, an important issue is the improvement of the signal-to-noise-ratio, which is severely affected by external sources whose emission is captured by the detection apparatus. In this paper, we present an extension of the technique developed in Cohen et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 123, 203601 (2019)] to the effects caused by the propagation of light through a turbulent media as well as the detection through photon counting devices bearing imperfections in terms of efficiency and number resolution. Our results indicate that even less performing technology can result in a useful detection scheme.