Research on quantum remote sensing science and technology

Remote sensing is an advanced technology to explore the space and acquire earth-space information, with its accurate, comprehensive and dynamic detection and observation ability, RS plays an key role in earth observation, national defense, aerospace and deep space exploration. The advancement of science and urgent demands in economy and other fields put forward higher requirements for RS. Firstly, some important theoretical issues need to be addressed, such as RS information theory, spectral imaging mechanism, electromagnetic radiation transmission model. Secondly, the resolution power of RS instruments and their ability to utilize information needs to be improved. Finally, more detailed and richer RS information is needed during application. Of all these requirements, higher resolution, spectrum resolution, time resolution and further applications of RS are extremely important. While quantum remote sensing (QRS) performs very well in these aspects. QRS study was began in March, 2000, the concept was proposed in early 2001, then QRS technology researches began. The paper firstly introduces its background, concept and research status, its differences and advantages. Then it elaborates QRS research theoretical basis, information mechanism, quantum spectrum imaging research progress of QRS imaging processing. Besides, it emphasizes QRS imaging experimental process, based on which, technical solutions and design of satellite borne QRS active imaging technology and quantum laser radar engineering prototype were proposed, providing technical basis for their application. QRS imaging technology can significantly improve the signal-to-noise ratio and space resolution. Finally, the paper summarizes the researches over the past nineteen years and plans for the future.