Abstract: Imaging systems and methods are disclosed for detecting objects in low photon environments. Embodiments modulate separate groups of photons from the same source, modulate the wavefronts of the separate groups of photons, recombine the modulated photons, utilize information of the recombined photons (such as by utilizing pre-trained reinforcement learning networks and/or by using the Fisher information), and iteratively adjust the manner in which the wavefronts are modulated to detect objects in the sub-Rayleigh region, and in dim regions with a small number of photons, for example, on the order of 10,000 per second or less. Further embodiments determine the iterative modulation patterns utilizing pre-trained reinforcement learning networks.