Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Journal of Applied Physics

Comments on ``Multiphonon, Raman, and two-photon excitation of rare-earth ions in crystals: photon and phonon noise in 10-μm quantum counters''

Norman E. Byer, T. C. Ensign

Published Jan 1, 1973• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

An analysis made in a recent publication indicates that two-photon, Raman, and thermal excitation noise contributions in a 10-μm infrared quantum counter (IRQC) are insignificant compared to that due to the background (300 K) radiation. This conclusion is found to be unwarranted because of several errors in the analysis, foremost of which is an overestimation by 9 orders of magnitude of the transition rate Wα′αbir induced by background radiation. The revised calculation presented here demonstrates that the background radiation, far from being the dominant noise source, is at most comparable in magnitude with the other noise mechanisms.

DOI
10.1063/1.1661925

Related papers

Multiphonon, Raman, and Two-Photon Excitation of Rare-Earth Ions in Crystals: Photon and Phonon Noise in 10-μ Quantum Counters

Francis K. Fong, Marvin M. Miller

Noise arising from strong laser pumping and 77-K internal phonon noise upconversion in the proposed supposedly noiseless 10-μ quantum counters using rare-earth-doped crystals is described. The discussions are specialized to the crystals states of the Eu3+ ion. It is shown that at the pump power (∼50 kW cm−2) necessary for background-limited 10-μ quantum counter upconversion detection at 77 K, all the three major processes of noise generation discussed are insignificant compared to the background thermal (300 K) radiation considered previously in arriving at realistic theoretical quantum efficiencies of the proposed 10-μ quantum counters.

Journal of Applied Physics•May 1, 1972•4 citations

Rare Earth Infrared Quantum Counter

L. Esterowitz, Alfons Schnitzler, J. Noonan +1 more

An analysis of an ideal five-level ir quantum counter (IRQC) is presented. The importance of the two additional levels is discussed and analyzed. The parameters for achieving optimum performance as an ir detector and/or an image converter are presented. In theory, the IRQC is the only quantum amplifier with photon gain that can approach a noise temperature of absolute zero. In practice, with the constriction of available materials and technology, the most feasible use for the IRQC in the near term would be in an active system. An ir laser would be used to scan the target while another laser would pump the excited state transition. The IRQC action has been observed in this laboratory in the tripositive rare earths of Pr, Nd, Eu, Tb, Dy, Er, and Tm. These ions were incorporated in single crystal lattices of CaF(2), BaF(2), SrF(2), CdF(2), LaF(3), CaWO(4), A1(2)O(3), YAG, LaCl(3), and in solutions of the various trichlorides (dissolved in D(2)O). A total of 165 schemes are reported. The rare earth impurity concentration varied from 0.05% to 20%. In our laboratory, the primary range of interest for detection and/or image conversion is between 1 micro and 2 micro. Therefore, almost all the systems studied involved the detection of an ir photon in this region.

Applied Optics•Oct 1, 1968•57 citations

Multiphonon relaxation in laser materials and applications to the design of quantum electronic devices

L. A. Riseberg, Henry W. Moos, William D. Partlow

An account is given of the results of a recent investigation of multiphonon orbit-lattice relaxation of excited states of rare-earth ions in crystals. The use of these results in the design of quantum electronic devices is discussed, using as examples the Nd3+laser transition and a 10.6-μ infrared quantum counter. A discussion is presented of the infrared limit of quantum electronic devices using these materials. Extension of these concepts to transition-metal ions in crystals is considered and a measurement of1Eto3Emultiphonon decay in Al2O3: V3+is presented.

IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics•Oct 1, 1968•18 citations

IRQC parameters for Er3+ occupying sites of C2v and C3v symmetry in CdF2

Norman E. Byer, T. C. Ensign, William M. Mularie +1 more

Measurements have been made of the optical parameters relevant to the operation of the Er3+ infrared quantum counter (IRQC) proposed recently to detect 1.5-μm radiation. The CdF2:Er3+ crystals used for this purpose were prepared under specific conditions selected to provide different local site symmetries at the Er3+ ions. EPR measurements were employed to determine the site symmetries and the relative concentration of ions at the various sites. In particular, high concentrations of C2v sites were generated by double doping with NaF prior to crystalline growth [CdF2: (Er3+,Na+)], whereas C3v sites were generated preferentially by oxygen firing sodium-free crystals subsequent to growth [CdF2: (Er3+,O2−)]. Selective generation of these two sites permitted the unambiguous determination of their characteristic optical absorption, emission, and excitation spectra, as well as the lifetimes and radiative efficiencies of relevant excited states. In addition, double excitation using two ir sources simultaneously, was used to determine the cross section for transitions between the 4I13/2 and 4S3/2 excited states and the lifetime of the former state. The optical properties of the Er3+ ion were observed to be sensitive to the local environment associated with each site and, in particular, to the magnitude of the noncubic component of the crystalline field. Phase-lag measurements confirmed the successive-excitation model proposed to explain the conversion of 1.5-μm radiation to 540- or 660-nm radiation in the presence of an 840-nm pump. Cooperative-excitation processes, on the other hand, were observed to produce 660-nm emission when 790- or 970-nm pumps were employed. The dependence of the over-all IRQC quantum efficiency on pump flux and on the optical parameters of Er3+ is derived from solutions to the appropriate rate equations. The analysis indicates that the performance of the 1.5-μm Er:IRQC, utilizing an 840-nm pump, is nearly optimized for CdF2: (Er3+,O2−).

Journal of Applied Physics•Apr 1, 1973•9 citations

Fluorescence Excitation by the Absorption of Two Consecutive Photons

John F. Porter

Fluorescence radiation from polycrystalline La: PrCl/sub 3/ was observed using two separate excitation sources. This fluorescence cannot be attributed to either source alone. The scheme is similar to N. Blocmbergen's proposal for a solid-state infrared quantum counter (Phys. Rev. Letters Porter, Jr., J. Appl. Phys. 32, 825(1961)). (L.N.N.)

Physical Review Letters•Dec 1, 1961•65 citations

A Neglected Noise Source in Quantum Optics

Antônio S. Coelho, J. E. S. César, K. N. Cassemiro +3 more

In the nonlinear interaction of intense beams with a crystal inside an optical cavity, phonon scattering of the central carrier into sidebands acts as a source of extra phase noise for experiments in quantum optics.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Jan 1, 2009•0 citations
An analysis made in a recent publication indicates that two-photon, Raman, and thermal excitation noise contributions in a 10-μm infrared quantum counter (IRQC) are insignificant compared to that due to the background (300 K) radiation. This conclusion is found to be unwarranted because of several errors in the analysis, foremost of which is an overestimation by 9 orders of magnitude of the transition rate Wα′αbir induced by background radiation. The revised calculation presented here demonstrates that the background radiation, far from being the dominant noise source, is at most comparable in magnitude with the other noise mechanisms.
Noise arising from strong laser pumping and 77-K internal phonon noise upconversion in the proposed supposedly noiseless 10-μ quantum counters using rare-earth-doped crystals is described. The discussions are specialized to the crystals states of the Eu3+ ion. It is shown that at the pump power (∼50 kW cm−2) necessary for background-limited 10-μ quantum counter upconversion detection at 77 K, all the three major processes of noise generation discussed are insignificant compared to the background thermal (300 K) radiation considered previously in arriving at realistic theoretical quantum efficiencies of the proposed 10-μ quantum counters.
An analysis of an ideal five-level ir quantum counter (IRQC) is presented. The importance of the two additional levels is discussed and analyzed. The parameters for achieving optimum performance as an ir detector and/or an image converter are presented. In theory, the IRQC is the only quantum amplifier with photon gain that can approach a noise temperature of absolute zero. In practice, with the constriction of available materials and technology, the most feasible use for the IRQC in the near term would be in an active system. An ir laser would be used to scan the target while another laser would pump the excited state transition. The IRQC action has been observed in this laboratory in the tripositive rare earths of Pr, Nd, Eu, Tb, Dy, Er, and Tm. These ions were incorporated in single crystal lattices of CaF(2), BaF(2), SrF(2), CdF(2), LaF(3), CaWO(4), A1(2)O(3), YAG, LaCl(3), and in solutions of the various trichlorides (dissolved in D(2)O). A total of 165 schemes are reported. The rare earth impurity concentration varied from 0.05% to 20%. In our laboratory, the primary range of interest for detection and/or image conversion is between 1 micro and 2 micro. Therefore, almost all the systems studied involved the detection of an ir photon in this region.
An account is given of the results of a recent investigation of multiphonon orbit-lattice relaxation of excited states of rare-earth ions in crystals. The use of these results in the design of quantum electronic devices is discussed, using as examples the Nd3+laser transition and a 10.6-μ infrared quantum counter. A discussion is presented of the infrared limit of quantum electronic devices using these materials. Extension of these concepts to transition-metal ions in crystals is considered and a measurement of1Eto3Emultiphonon decay in Al2O3: V3+is presented.
Measurements have been made of the optical parameters relevant to the operation of the Er3+ infrared quantum counter (IRQC) proposed recently to detect 1.5-μm radiation. The CdF2:Er3+ crystals used for this purpose were prepared under specific conditions selected to provide different local site symmetries at the Er3+ ions. EPR measurements were employed to determine the site symmetries and the relative concentration of ions at the various sites. In particular, high concentrations of C2v sites were generated by double doping with NaF prior to crystalline growth [CdF2: (Er3+,Na+)], whereas C3v sites were generated preferentially by oxygen firing sodium-free crystals subsequent to growth [CdF2: (Er3+,O2−)]. Selective generation of these two sites permitted the unambiguous determination of their characteristic optical absorption, emission, and excitation spectra, as well as the lifetimes and radiative efficiencies of relevant excited states. In addition, double excitation using two ir sources simultaneously, was used to determine the cross section for transitions between the 4I13/2 and 4S3/2 excited states and the lifetime of the former state. The optical properties of the Er3+ ion were observed to be sensitive to the local environment associated with each site and, in particular, to the magnitude of the noncubic component of the crystalline field. Phase-lag measurements confirmed the successive-excitation model proposed to explain the conversion of 1.5-μm radiation to 540- or 660-nm radiation in the presence of an 840-nm pump. Cooperative-excitation processes, on the other hand, were observed to produce 660-nm emission when 790- or 970-nm pumps were employed. The dependence of the over-all IRQC quantum efficiency on pump flux and on the optical parameters of Er3+ is derived from solutions to the appropriate rate equations. The analysis indicates that the performance of the 1.5-μm Er:IRQC, utilizing an 840-nm pump, is nearly optimized for CdF2: (Er3+,O2−).