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Quantum Illumination with Gaussian States

<10>Is it possible to take advantage of quantum entanglement even when it is broken? Yes, this happens in quantum illumination. This protocol employs a quantum transmitter emitting entangled light to detect the presence of a distant low-reflectivity object under conditions of bright thermal noise. Despite no entanglement surviving at the receiver station, this technique is able to outperform any classical strategy, e.g., based on the use of coherent states. Quantum illumination "could boost the sensitivity of radar and x-ray systems as well as optical telecommunications and microscopy by a millionfold or more" (Scientific American). Our idea has been experimentally implemented.