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arXiv:1210.6878 · Physical Review A

Asymmetric architecture for heralded single-photon sources

Luca Mazzarella, Francesco Ticozzi, Alexander V. Sergienko, Giuseppe Vallone, Paolo Villoresi

Published Aug 27, 2013• 43 citations
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Abstract

Single-photon sources represent a fundamental building block for optical implementations of quantum information tasks ranging from basic tests of quantum physics to quantum communication and high-resolution quantum measurement. In this paper, in order to compare the effectiveness of different designs, we introduce a single-photon source performance index, based on the maximum probability of generating a single photon that still guarantees a given signal-to-noise ratio. We then investigate the performance of a multiplexed system based on asymmetric configuration of multiple heralded single-photon sources. The performance and scalability comparison with both currently existing multiple-source architectures and faint laser configurations reveals an advantage the proposed scheme offers in realistic scenarios. This analysis also provides insights on the potential of using such architectures for integrated implementation.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.88.023848

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Single-photon sources represent a fundamental building block for optical implementations of quantum information tasks ranging from basic tests of quantum physics to quantum communication and high-resolution quantum measurement. In this paper, in order to compare the effectiveness of different designs, we introduce a single-photon source performance index, based on the maximum probability of generating a single photon that still guarantees a given signal-to-noise ratio. We then investigate the performance of a multiplexed system based on asymmetric configuration of multiple heralded single-photon sources. The performance and scalability comparison with both currently existing multiple-source architectures and faint laser configurations reveals an advantage the proposed scheme offers in realistic scenarios. This analysis also provides insights on the potential of using such architectures for integrated implementation.
Current sources of heralded single photons based on nonlinear optics operate in a probabilistic manner. In order to build quantum-enhanced devices based around the use of single photons, compact, turn-key and deterministic sources are required. A possible solution is to multiplex a number of sources to increase the single-photon generation probability and in so doing reducing the waiting time to deliver large numbers of photons simultaneously, from independent sources. Previously it has been shown that, in the ideal case, 17 multiplexed sources allow deterministic generation of heralded single photons [Christ and Silberhorn, Phys. Rev. A 85, 023829 (2012)]. Here we extend this analysis to include undesirable effects of detector inefficiency and photon loss on a number of multiplexed sources using a variety of different detectors for heralding. We compare these systems for fixed signal-to-noise ratio to allow a direct comparison of performance for real- world heralded single photon sources.
Single-photon sources (SPSs) are a fundamental building block for optical implementations of quantum information protocols. Among SPSs, multiple crystal heralded single-photon sources seem to give the best compromise between high pair production rate and low multiple photon events. In this work, we study their performance in a practical quantum-key-distribution experiment, by evaluating the achievable key rates. The analysis focuses on the two different schemes, symmetric and asymmetric, proposed for the practical implementation of heralded single-photon sources, with attention on the performance of their composing elements. The analysis is based on the protocol proposed by Bennett and Brassard in 1984 and on its improvement exploiting decoy state technique. Finally, a simple way of exploiting the postselection mechanism for a passive, one decoy state scheme is evaluated.
As currently implemented, single-photon sources cannot be made to produce single photons with high probability, while simultaneously suppressing the probability of yielding two or more photons. Because of this, single photon sources cannot really produce single photons on demand. We describe a multiplexed system that allows the probabilities of producing one and more photons to be adjusted independently, enabling a much better approximation of a source of single photons on demand. The scheme uses a heralded photon source based on parametric downconversion, but by effectively breaking the trigger detector area into multiple regions, we are able to extract more information about a heralded photon than is possible with a conventional arrangement. This scheme allows photons to be produced along with a quantitative ``certification'' that they are single photons. Some of the single-photon certifications can be significantly better than what is possible with conventional downconversion sources (using a unified trigger detector region), as well as being better than faint laser sources. With such a source of more tightly certified single photons, it should be possible to improve the maximum secure bit rate possible over a quantum cryptographic link. We present an analysis of the relative merits of this method over the conventional arrangement.
As currently implemented, single-photon sources cannot be made to produce single photons with high probability, while simultaneously suppressing the probability of yielding two or more photons. Because of this, single photon sources cannot really produce single photons on demand. We describe a multiplexed system that allows the probabilities of producing one and more photons to be adjusted independently, enabling a much better approximation of a source of single photons on demand. The scheme uses a heralded photon source based on parametric downconversion, but by effectively breaking the trigger detector area into multiple regions, we are able to extract more information about a heralded photon than is possible with a conventional arrangement. This scheme allows photons to be produced along with a quantitative 'certification' that they are single photons. Some of the single-photon certifications can be significantly better than what is possible with conventional downconversion sources, as well as being better than faint laser sources. With such a source of more tightly certified single photons, it should be possible to improve the maximum secure bit rate possible over a quantum cryptographic link. We present an analysis of the relative merits of this method over the conventional arrangement.
Abstract : Single photons sources are desired for many potential quantum information applications. One common method to produce single photons is based on a heralding protocol, which involves generating a pair of photons in an optical nonlinear medium and then detecting one photon in the pair to announce the existence of the other photon of the pair. Compared to other schemes, such a method offers several significant advantages. A major challenge to overcome which is inherent to this method, however, is that the photon pairs are created stochastically in the optical nonlinear medium. Thus, in order to ensure high purity levels for the single photons generated via heralding, sources of this type must be operated at low photon-pair production rates in order to keep the probability for simultaneous creation of multiple photon-pairs to an acceptably low level. A direct result of this restriction is a low heralding rate of single photons. A potential solution for achieving high-rate, high-purity, single-photon generation combines several heralding single-photon sources which are actively multiplexed to act as one source. The overall goal of this project is to develop methods to perform such multiplexing based on the use of a low loss high speed fiber optical switch.