Analysis of multi-photon quantum radar cross section for targets in atmospheric medium

Extensive studies have been carried out on the characteristics of quantum radar cross section (QRCS) of targets. However, one crucial question related to multi-photon quantum radar cross section (M-QRCS) for targets in the atmospheric medium has not been explored yet. Understanding this question is vital for target detection and identification of quantum radar. This paper presents a universal method to solve M-QRCS in a homogeneous atmospheric medium (HAM-QRCS). The process is based on the photon wave function in a homogeneous atmospheric medium and the interaction mechanism of multi-photon and multiple atoms. It is suitable for analyzing the HAM-QRCS characteristics of targets of arbitrary shapes. The simulation results show that the molecules, particles, and other factors in the atmospheric medium cause the signal photons’ energy to decrease and the propagation direction to change, leading to a decrease in the target return responses. However, in a specific angle range, as the photon number increases, the main lobe and first side lobe structures of the bistatic HAM-QRCS response are enhanced. These findings can be utilized to design target detection strategies and optimize stealth target structures of the quantum radar in the atmospheric medium.