We introduce and experimentally implement a method for the detector calibration of photon-number-resolving time-bin multiplexing layouts based on the measured click statistics of superconducting nanowire detectors. In particular, the quantum efficiencies, the dark count rates, and the positive operator-valued measures of these measurement schemes are directly obtained with high accuracy. The method is based on the moments of the click-counting statistics for coherent states with different coherent amplitudes. The strength of our analysis is that we can directly conclude---on a quantitative basis---that the detection strategy under study is well described by a linear response function for the light-matter interaction and that it is sensitive to the polarization of the incident light field. Moreover, our method is further extended to a two-mode detection scenario. Finally, we present possible applications for such well-characterized detectors, such as sensing of atmospheric loss channels and phase sensitive measurements.
We introduce and experimentally implement a method for the detector calibration of photon-number-resolving time-bin multiplexing layouts based on the measured click statistics of superconducting nanowire detectors. In particular, the quantum efficiencies, the dark count rates, and the positive operator-valued measures of these measurement schemes are directly obtained with high accuracy. The method is based on the moments of the click-counting statistics for coherent states with different coherent amplitudes. The strength of our analysis is that we can directly conclude---on a quantitative basis---that the detection strategy under study is well described by a linear response function for the light-matter interaction and that it is sensitive to the polarization of the incident light field. Moreover, our method is further extended to a two-mode detection scenario. Finally, we present possible applications for such well-characterized detectors, such as sensing of atmospheric loss channels and phase sensitive measurements.
We utilize click-counting theory for the reconstruction of photon statistics, employing an analytic pseudoinversion method. A reconfigurable time-bin multiplexing, click-counting detector is experimentally implemented, allowing for altering the photon-number resolution. A detector tomography is carried out, yielding vital measurement features, such as quantum efficiencies and cross-talk rates. We gauge the success of the pseudoinversion by applying the Mandel and binomial parameters, resulting in an additional interpretation of these parameters for the discrimination of distinct quantum statistics. For coherent states, which lie at the classical-nonclassical boundary, both parameters are highly sensitive measures, probing the kind of statistics and the reconstruction performance. In addition, we apply a loss deconvolution technique to account for detection losses.
Direct estimation of g(2)(0) from click statistics of a multiplexed detector
We present and theoretically analyze a method for direct estimation of the second-order correlation function g(2)(0) from the click statistics of a multiplexed detector composed of M binary on-off detection channels. The method uses linear estimators of the first and second moments of the photon-number operator and can provide accurate results even for optical fields with substantial mean photon numbers. For a fixed number of channels, the detection range can be extended by introducing additional losses before the detector. We demonstrate the performance of the method for coherent, thermal, amplitude-squeezed, and photon-added coherent states. We also derive a nonclassicality criterion based on the estimated correlation function and show how the method can be adapted to unbalanced detectors. Our work establishes direct estimation of g(2)(0) as a simple and versatile method for quantitatively characterizing quantum light using multiplexed click detectors.
Abstract Though photon-number-resolving (PNR) detectors based on multiplexed threshold elements are key tools for quantum optics and quantum information, yet accurate calibration of their response in the presence of imperfections remains challenging. Here we develop a model for a four-channel PNR detector designed as a superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD) array, allowing for unequal channel transmission coefficients and dark counts. Closed-form expressions for the click probabilities and transfer-matrix elements are obtained for coherent-state probes, and a numerical study quantifies the range of channel imbalance where the commonly used equal-channel, single-parameter approximation fails. Applying this framework to experimental data from a four-channel PNR SNSPD, we show that direct model-based fits do not reproduce the measured click statistics probably because of inter-channel cross-talks. To overcome this, we implement a hybrid quantum detector tomography scheme that combines a model-based fit to the mean click number with a data-driven reconstruction of the low-photon subspace. The resulting transfer matrix reproduces the experimental click statistics with average fidelity above 99.9% and provides a robust description of the detector in the presence of cross-talks and other non-idealities.
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Efficiently distinguishing photon numbers is a crucial yet challenging technology for various quantum information and quantum metrology applications. While superconducting transition edge sensors offer good photon-number-resolving (PNR) capabilities, they are hampered by low detection speed, timing jitter, and complex cooling and readout requirements. In this work, we present a significant advancement toward achieving high-fidelity PNR single-photon detectors by combing high efficiency superconducting nanowire single-photon detector and spatial multiplexing technology. The unique twin-layer configuration of superconducting nanowire atop a dielectric mirror ensures the near-unity detection efficiency. The segmented design, where each section is shunted by a resistor, enables spatial multiplexing, establishing a mapping relationship between pulse amplitude and registered photons. The fabricated detector exhibits impressive performance metrics, including a single-photon system detection efficiency (SDE) of ∼98% at a dark count rate of 20 cps and photon-number resolution capability up to 32. Further characterization through detector tomography reveals high fidelities for two-, three-, and four-photon events, approximately 87%, 73%, and 40% respectively. Moreover, the detector operates at a high count rate of 41 MHz at 3 dB-SDE, with a low timing jitter of as low as 40 ps. With its near-unity efficiency, high photon-number resolution, low dark count rate, fast detection speed, and superior timing resolution, we expect significant interest in these detectors, promising substantial benefits for weak light detection and optical quantum information applications.
Photon-number-resolving (PNR) detectors are a key enabling technology in photonic quantum information processing. Here, we demonstrate the PNR capacity of conventional superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors by performing ultra-high-resolution time-tagging of the detector-generated electrical pulses. This method provides a viable approach for PNR with high detection efficiency and a high operational repetition rate. We present the implementation of such a PNR detector in the telecom C-band and its characterization by measuring the photon-number statistics of coherent light with tunable intensity. Additionally, we demonstrate the capabilities of the detection method by measuring photon-number correlations of non-classical states.
We report on the implementation of a time-multiplexed click detection scheme to probe quantum correlations between different spatial optical modes. We demonstrate that such measurement setups can uncover nonclassical correlations in multimode light fields even if the single mode reductions are purely classical. The nonclassical character of correlated photon pairs, generated by a parametric down-conversion, is immediately measurable employing the theory of click counting instead of low-intensity approximations with photoelectric detection models. The analysis is based on second- and higher-order moments, which are directly retrieved from the measured click statistics, for relatively high mean photon numbers. No data postprocessing is required to demonstrate the effects of interest with high significance, despite low efficiencies and experimental imperfections. Our approach shows that such novel detection schemes are a reliable and robust way to characterize quantum-correlated light fields for practical applications in quantum communications.