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AIP conference proceedings

Absolute calibration of photon-counting detection efficiency using photon pairs generated in optical fibers

Xiaoying Li, Xiaoxin Ma, Lei Yang, Limei Quan, Liang Cui, Timothy C. Ralph, Ping Koy Lam

Published Jan 1, 2011• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Using the correlated signal and idler photon pairs in 1550 nm band generated in 300 m dispersion shifted fiber by a pulsed pump, we measure the quantum efficiency of a InGaAs/InP avalanche photodiode based single photon detector. The measurement can be done by using photon pairs with various kinds of bandwidth.
DOI
10.1063/1.3630209

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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.
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.
Quantum information systems are commonly operated in conventional communication bands (1310 and 1550 nm) over an optical fiber to take advantage of low transmission loss. However, the detection and spectral measurement of single photons in these communication bands are limited due to high noise and low sensitivity of single photon detectors in the wavelength ranges. To demonstrate high efficiency detection and high sensitivity spectral measurement, we have implemented a single photon detector and a spectrometer based on frequency up-conversion technology. This detector and spectrometer uses a 5-cm periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguide and a tunable pump laser around 1550 nm, to convert signal photons around 1310 to 710 nm. The converted photons are then detected by a silicon-based avalanche photodiode (APD). The overall detection efficiency of the single photon detector is as high as 32%, which is three times higher than commercial InGaAs APDs. The sensitivity of the spectrometer is measured to be −126 dBm, which is at least three orders-of-magnitude better than any commercial optical spectrum analyzer in this wavelength range.