arXiv subjects

Jernej Frank

Publications and source records attributed to Jernej Frank.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Quantum Limits of Passive Optical Surface Metrology and Defect Detection

We develop a quantum statistical framework for passive optical surface metrology. Modelling a surface as an incoherent ensemble of point emitters imaged through a diffraction-limited system, we employ techniques from quantum parameter estimation and hypothesis testing to derive ultimate bounds for jointly estimating geometrical features and for deciding the presence or absence of surface defects, and we identify optimal measurements from the geometry of the point-spread-function manifold. As a representative application, we analyse a minimal surface crack model based on three point sources and show that spatial mode sorting can simultaneously enable near-quantum-limited estimation of crack width and depth and markedly enhanced detectability of the crack, compared with direct imaging. Our results pave the way towards enhanced optical inspection and characterisation of sub-diffraction surface features by probing a limited number of spatial modes without any illumination control.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Tsang's resolution enhancement method for imaging with focused illumination

A widely tested approach to overcoming the diffraction limit in microscopy without disturbing the sample relies on substituting widefield sample illumination with a structured light beam. This gives rise to confocal, image-scanning and structured-illumination microscopy methods. On the other hand, as shown recently by Tsang and others, subdiffractional resolution at the detection end of the microscope can be achieved by replacing the intensity measurement in the image plane with spatial mode demultiplexing. In this work we study the combined action of Tsang's method with image scanning. We experimentally demonstrate superior lateral resolution and enhanced image quality compared to either method alone. This result paves the way for integrating spatial demultiplexing into existing microscopes, contributing to further pushing the boundaries of optical resolution.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2023

Passive superresolution imaging of incoherent objects

We investigate Hermite Gaussian Imaging (HGI) -- a novel passive super-resolution technique -- for complex 2D incoherent objects in the sub-Rayleigh regime. The method consists of measuring the field's spatial mode components in the image plane in the overcomplete basis of Hermite-Gaussian modes and their superpositions and subsequently using a deep neural network to reconstruct the object from these measurements. We show a three-fold resolution improvement over direct imaging. Our HGI reconstruction retains its superiority even if the same neural network is applied to improve the resolution of direct imaging. This superiority is also preserved in the presence of shot noise. Our findings are the first step towards passive super-resolution imaging protocols in fluorescent microscopy and astronomy.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2021

Alpha Buckets in Longitudinal Phase Space: a Bifurcation Analysis

At HZB's BESSY II and PTB's Metrology Light Source (MLS) facilities we have the ability to tune the momentum compaction factor $α$ up to second non-linear order. The non-linear dependence $α(δ)$ brings qualitative changes to the longitudinal phase space and introduces new fix points $α(δ)=0$ which produce the so-called $α$-buckets. We present with this paper an analysis of this phenomena from the standpoint of bifurcation theory. With this approach we were able to characterize the nature of the fix points and their position in direct dependence on the tunable parameters. Furthermore, we are able to place stringent conditions onto the tunable parameters to either create or destroy $α$-buckets.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2020

Emergence of Gauss' Law in a $Z_2$ Lattice Gauge Theory

We explore a $Z_2$ Hamiltonian lattice gauge theory in one spatial dimension with a coupling $h$, without imposing any Gauss' law constraint. We show that in our model $h=0$ is a free deconfined quantum critical point containing massless fermions where all Gauss' law sectors are equivalent. The coupling $h$ is a relevant perturbation of this critical point and fermions become massive due to confinement and chiral symmetry breaking. To study the emergent Gauss' law sectors at low temperatures in this massive phase we use a quantum Monte Carlo method that samples configurations of the partition function written in a basis in which local conserved charges are diagonal. We find that two Gauss' law sectors, related by particle-hole symmetry, emerge naturally. When the system is doped with an extra particle, many more Gauss's law sectors related by translation invariance emerge. Using results in the range $0.01 < h \leq 0.15 $ we find that three different mass scales of the model behave like $h^{p}$ where $p \approx 0.579$.

cond-mat.str-el↗