Optimizing the speckle noise for maximum efficacy of data acquisition in coherent imaging.

The impact of multiplicative speckle noise on data acquisition in coherent imaging is studied. This demonstrates the possibility to optimally adjust the level of the speckle noise in order to deliberately exploit, with maximum efficacy, the saturation naturally limiting linear image sensors such as CCD cameras, for instance. This constructive action of speckle noise cooperating with saturation can be interpreted as a novel instance of stochastic resonance or a useful-noise effect.