  The development of high-resolution, large-baseline optical interferometers
would revolutionize astronomical imaging. However, classical techniques are
hindered by physical limitations including loss, noise, and the fact that the
received light is generally quantum in nature. We show how to overcome these
issues using quantum communication techniques. We present a general framework
for using quantum error correction codes for protecting and imaging starlight
received at distant telescope sites. In our scheme, the quantum state of light
is coherently captured into a non-radiative atomic state via Stimulated Raman
Adiabatic Passage, which is then imprinted into a quantum error correction
code. The code protects the signal during subsequent potentially noisy
operations necessary to extract the image parameters. We show that even a small
quantum error correction code can offer significant protection against noise.
For large codes, we find noise thresholds below which the information can be
preserved. Our scheme represents an application for near-term quantum devices
that can increase imaging resolution beyond what is feasible using classical
techniques.
