Enhanced sensing through multiphoton derived hyper-entanglement and networks

Methods of improving quantum LADARs and related sensors are developed based on quantum entanglement and hyper-entanglement. Multiple single photon states are used to obtain a multiphoton entangled state. These states can be N00N states, M&N states (M&N), or a linear combination of M&N states (LCMNS) or generalized states kindred to LCMNS. The procedure for doing this derives from the fundamental theorem of algebra. Various states generated by this process are developed. A diagram of a device for producing such states is examined. They are related to a simpler version of this concept introduced in the seminal experiment by Mitchell-Lundeen and Steinberg. A certain class of states obtained through the Schrodinger kitten process are shown to be effective for generating states hyper-entangled in polarization and energy-time. A diagram of a device for producing such states is considered. Alternate methods of generating hyper-entanglement in polarization and energy-time are discussed. Improvements offered by networks are discussed. The utility of these procedures for sensing and communications is examined. An open systems analysis based on density operator theory is conducted including both noise and loss mechanisms. The susceptibility to noise and loss of the various hyper-entanglement procedures is examined. Various measures of effectiveness (MOEs) are derived to quantize system performance. MOEs include but are not limited to, SNR, signal-to-interference ratio, quantum Cramer Rao' lower bound, quantum Chernoff bound, measurement time, the Holevo bound, sensing range, and resolution. A summary table with expanded MOEs results drawing from multiple papers is provided.