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  • Open Access

Wave-particle duality ellipse and application in quantum imaging with undetected photons

Pawan Khatiwada and Xiao-Feng Qian*

  • *Contact author: xfqian6@stevens.edu
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Phys. Rev. Research 7, 033033 – Published 8 July, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/dyg6-l19j

Abstract

We present a systematic framework to quantify the interplay between coherence and wave-particle duality in generic two-path interference systems. Our analysis reveals a closed-form duality ellipse (DE) equality, that rigorously unifies visibility (a traditional waveness measure) and predictability (a particleness measure) with degree of coherence, providing a complete mathematical embodiment of Bohr's complementarity principle. Extending this framework to quantum imaging with undetected photons (QIUP), where both path information and photon interference are inherently linked to spatial object reconstruction, we establish an imaging duality ellipse (IDE) that directly connects wave-particle duality to the object's transmittance profile. This relation enables object characterization through duality measurements alone and remains robust against experimental imperfections such as decoherence and misalignment. Our results advance the fundamental understanding of quantum duality while offering a practical toolkit for optimizing coherence-driven quantum technologies, from imaging to sensing.

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Phys. Rev. Research 7, 033033– Published 8 July, 2025
  • Received 27 August 2024
  • Accepted 23 May 2025
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.

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