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arXiv:1007.1866 · Journal of the Optical Society of America B

Quantum efficiency measurement of single-photon detectors using photon pairs generated in optical fibers

Xiaoying Li, Xiaoxin Ma, Limei Quan, Lei Yang, Liang Cui, Xueshi Guo

Published Aug 18, 2010• 14 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Using the correlated signal and idler photon pairs generated in a dispersion-shifted fiber by a pulsed pump, we measure the quantum efficiency of an InGaAs/InP avalanche photodiode-based single-photon detector. Since the collection efficiency of photon pairs is a key parameter to correctly deduce the quantum efficiency, we carefully characterize the collection efficiency by studying the correlation dependence of photon pairs on the spectra of pump, signal, and idler photons. This study allows us to obtain the quantum efficiency of the single-photon detector by using photon pairs with various kinds of bandwidth.

DOI
10.1364/josab.27.001857

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Using the correlated signal and idler photon pairs generated in a dispersion-shifted fiber by a pulsed pump, we measure the quantum efficiency of an InGaAs/InP avalanche photodiode-based single-photon detector. Since the collection efficiency of photon pairs is a key parameter to correctly deduce the quantum efficiency, we carefully characterize the collection efficiency by studying the correlation dependence of photon pairs on the spectra of pump, signal, and idler photons. This study allows us to obtain the quantum efficiency of the single-photon detector by using photon pairs with various kinds of bandwidth.
Spectral correlation of photon pairs generated in dispersion shifted fiber by a pulsed pump is theoretically analyzed and experimentally investigated. We first calculate the spectral function of photon pairs according to the deduced two-photon state generated by spontaneous four wave mixing under the assumptions close to the real experimental conditions. We then experimentally study the spectral property of the signal and idler photon pairs generated in optical fiber by photon correlation measurements, and the experimental results agree with the calculation. The investigation is useful for developing fiber-based sources of entangled photon pairs and for studying multi-photon quantum interference with multiple photon pairs.
InGaAs/InP single-photon detectors are today the most frequently used detectors for fibre-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) [1,2]. The performance of the QKD-systems greatly depends on the optical properties of its detector, such as quantum efficiency, dead time, dark counts, gating rate, etc., which need to be metrologically characterized to fully grantee the QKD network security. Therefore, several European National Metrological Institutes (NMIs) are putting today great efforts in developing novel measurement methods and calibration facilities, which allow to perform the traceable characterisation of single-photon detectors by using reference standards [3, 4]. From the metrological, and specifically radiometric, point of view, the detection efficiency of the single-photon detector is the main parameter that needs to be traceable to the primary standard for optical power (i.e. the cryogenic radiometer), which is maintained by most of the NMIs. Recently, four European NMIs have carried out a pilot comparison on the detection efficiency of a free-running InGaAs/InP single-photon detector, which main purpose has been to provide a snapshot of the measurement capabilities of the four European NMIs in the field of photon counting detection. The comparison was carried out in the framework of the EMPIR project 14IND05 “Optical metrology for quantum-enhanced secure telecommunication (MIQC2)” at the telecom wavelength of 1550 nm by using different reference standards with independently traceability chains. The results of this comparison, including the different experimental setups, the measurement methods, the traceability chain and the uncertainty evaluation of each participant, will be presented in this conference. References: [1] Akihisa Tomita, et al., “High speed quantum key distribution system”, Optical Fiber Technology, 16, Issue 1, 55-62 (2010). [2] Damien Stucki, et al., “Photon counting for quantum key distribution with peltier cooled InGaAs/InP APDs”, Journal of Modern Optics, 48, Issue 13, 1967-1981 (2001). [3] M. López, et al, “Detection efficiency calibration of single-photon silicon avalanche photodiodes traceable using double attenuator technique, Journal of Modern Optics 62, S21 – S27, 2015. [4] G. Porrovecchio, et al., “Comparison at the sub-100 fW optical power level of calibrating a single-photon detector using a high-sensitive, low-noise silicon photodiode and the double attenuator technique”, Metrologia 53, 1115-1122 (2016).
This work is dedicated to the problem of noise reduction of single photon detector development based on InGaAs-InP avalanche photodiodes. Dark count probability and quantum efficiency of the detectors have been measured. We present the experimental fiber based quantum key distribution setup with phase coding of single photon states. The autocompensation two way optical scheme (plug&play) is used. The single photon source is the strongly attenuated laser pulse which goes through two paths of Mach-Zehnder interferometer where it undergoes the phase coding. Quantum channel is formed by 25 km single mode fiber. To generate the quantum key the four phases BB84 protocol is used.
A highly sensitive fiber-coupled single-photon spectrum analyzer is built based on a InGaAs/InP avalanche photodiode single-photon detector operated in Geiger mode. This device is capable of analyzing weak light signals with less than 3.6 × 10−4 photon pulse−1 in the spectral range from 1390 to 1600 nm. We have used it to measure the spectrum of the weak nonlinear signal of the fiber caused by the clock pulse in the quantum key distribution experiment. The spectral information will help to eliminate the nonlinear background in the fiber and improve the performance of the system.