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Applied Optics

Infrared detection scheme with the photon avalanche effect

Delena Bell Gatch, William M. Dennis, William M. Yen

Published Feb 1, 2003• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We present a new infrared (IR) detection scheme based on the infrared quantum counter (IRQC) detector and utilizing the photon avalanche process. At the time of its discovery, the phenomenon of photon avalanche was considered a limitation rather than an advantage for the development of IRQC. Both the experimental results and the numerical modeling presented demonstrate that the process responsible for photon avalanche can be used to enhance the detection of an IR signal. A new room-temperature IR detection scheme is proposed on the basis of the results of this research. The novel detection scheme presented demonstrates an increase in detectivity and a decrease in the noise-equivalent power when compared with the IRQC schemes previously discussed in the literature.

DOI
10.1364/ao.42.000615

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We present a new infrared (IR) detection scheme based on the infrared quantum counter (IRQC) detector and utilizing the photon avalanche process. At the time of its discovery, the phenomenon of photon avalanche was considered a limitation rather than an advantage for the development of IRQC. Both the experimental results and the numerical modeling presented demonstrate that the process responsible for photon avalanche can be used to enhance the detection of an IR signal. A new room-temperature IR detection scheme is proposed on the basis of the results of this research. The novel detection scheme presented demonstrates an increase in detectivity and a decrease in the noise-equivalent power when compared with the IRQC schemes previously discussed in the literature.
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.
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An efficient technique for the detection of nartowband infrared radiation by up-conversion in an optically saturated atomic vapor is described. The strong transition cross sections provided by the resonance interactions combined with the narrow Doppler spectral response profile contribute to the potential to approach quantum-noise-limited performance. Experimental results confirm the model of the detection process for sodium transitions at 1.48, 2.34, and 3.42 μ. The predicted ultimate noise equivalent power (NEP) of this device is less than 10-17W/Hz1/2in the1.5-5-\muspectral region.
We propose a method of single photon detection of infrared (IR) photons at potentially higher efficiencies and lower noise than allowed by traditional IR band avalanche photodiodes (APDs). By up-converting the photon from the IR, e.g. 1550 nm, to a visible wavelength in a nonlinear crystal, we can utilize the much higher efficiency of silicon APDs at these wavelengths. We have used a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal and a pulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser to perform the up-conversion to a 631 nm photon. We observed conversion efficiencies as high as ∼ 80%, and demonstrated scaling down to the single photon level while maintaining a background of 3 ×s; 10−4 dark counts per count. We also propose a 2-crystal extension of this scheme, whereby orthogonal polarizations may be up-converted coherently, thus enabling complete quantum state transduction of arbitrary states.