Superresolution of unequal-brightness thermal sources for stellar interferometry

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2509.12751v1
• Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2025 07:12:38 GMT
• Title: Superresolution of unequal-brightness thermal sources for stellar interferometry
• Authors: Chenyu Hu, Ben Wang, Jiandong Zhang, Kunxu Wang, Huigen Liu, Jilin Zhou, Lijian Zhang,
• Abstract summary: Using quantum estimation theory, we show that the ultimate limit for estimating the separation between two unequal-brightness thermal sources via interferometry remains constant.<n>We give a comparative analysis of two primary stellar interferometric schemes: amplitude interferometry and intensity interferometry.
• Score: 6.776322808083086
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Abstract: Resolving high-contrast targets is a fundamental yet highly challenging task in astronomy. Using quantum estimation theory, we demonstrate that the ultimate limit for estimating the separation between two unequal-brightness thermal sources via interferometry remains constant, enabling the potential for superresolution. We give a comparative analysis of two primary stellar interferometric schemes: amplitude interferometry and intensity interferometry. Notably, the nulling strategy employed in amplitude interferometry, a configuration specifically proposed for exoplanet detection by leveraging destructive interference to suppress the brighter source, is quantum optimal for separation estimation. While intensity interferometry is less effective than amplitude interferometry in lossless scenarios and fails to achieve superresolution, it becomes competitive when optical loss in large-scale interferometry is considered. By applying these methodologies to modern stellar interferometry, we highlight the promise of large-scale interferometry for advancing high-resolution astronomical observation.

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