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Journal of Modern Optics

Radiometric calibration of single photon detectors by a single photon source based on NV-centers in diamond

Waldemar Schmunk, M. Rodenberger, Silke Peters, H. Hofer, S. Kück

Published Aug 4, 2011• 34 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A widespread use of various relative calibration techniques is established in order to realize reliable and low uncertainty measurements of the detection efficiency, which is one key parameter characterizing single photon detectors. In the following paper we will present an approach to evaluate the relative detection efficiency of single photon avalanche photo diode (SPAD) detectors compared to a standard detector. This calibration technique is based upon the fiber-coupled relative efficiency calibration of analogue detectors, used in fiber-optic communication. For the first time, to our knowledge, an intrinsic single photon source based on the nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond was used for this purpose. Furthermore, the possible influence of different photon statistics, arising from different irradiation sources like thermal sources or lasers on the calibration results for the fiber exchange method has been theoretically studied.

DOI
10.1080/09500340.2011.601327

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A widespread use of various relative calibration techniques is established in order to realize reliable and low uncertainty measurements of the detection efficiency, which is one key parameter characterizing single photon detectors. In the following paper we will present an approach to evaluate the relative detection efficiency of single photon avalanche photo diode (SPAD) detectors compared to a standard detector. This calibration technique is based upon the fiber-coupled relative efficiency calibration of analogue detectors, used in fiber-optic communication. For the first time, to our knowledge, an intrinsic single photon source based on the nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond was used for this purpose. Furthermore, the possible influence of different photon statistics, arising from different irradiation sources like thermal sources or lasers on the calibration results for the fiber exchange method has been theoretically studied.
This work demonstrates the validation of a measurement equipment, such as a photodetector, by utilizing a single photon source that is based on laser fluorescence of nitrogen vacancies (NV-centers) in diamond. This validation method is done to further metrological characterisation and development of quantum technology. Measurement results and uncertainty analysis of the standard detector and photon counter, the coupling ratio as well as the measurement reproducibility and the influence of residual multiphoton processes are presented and discussed.
Abstract We present the metrological characterization of a single-photon source based on a germanium-vacancy center in diamond under a solid immersion lens in a confocal microscope setup at room temperature. It was characterized in terms of the emission’s spectral distribution, single-photon purity, temporal stability and the emitter’s excited state lifetime and saturation behavior. An Allan deviation analysis was performed on the emission of the single-photon source to determine the optimal averaging time of the photon flux. The single-photon source was used for the relative calibration of the detection efficiency of two single-photon avalanche diode detectors. The results were compared with measurements using attenuated laser light for the calibration of the detectors.
We present our measurements of the detection efficiency of free-space and fiber-coupled single-photon detectors at wavelengths near 851 nm and 1533.6 nm. We investigate the spatial uniformity of one free-space-coupled silicon single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) and present a comparison between fusion-spliced and connectorized fiber-coupled single-photon detectors. We find that our expanded relative uncertainty for a single measurement of the detection efficiency is as low as 0.7 % for fiber-coupled measurements at 1533.6 nm and as high as 1.8 % for our free-space characterization at 851.8 nm.
Abstract We measure the detection efficiency of single-photon detectors at wavelengths near 851 nm and 1533.6 nm. We investigate the spatial uniformity of one free-space-coupled single-photon avalanche diode and present a comparison between fusion-spliced and connectorized fiber-coupled single-photon detectors. We find that our expanded relative uncertainty for a single measurement of the detection efficiency is as low as 0.70% for fiber-coupled measurements at 1533.6 nm and as high as 1.78% for our free-space characterization at 851.7 nm. The detection-efficiency determination includes corrections for afterpulsing, dark count, and count-rate effects of the single-photon detector with the detection efficiency interpolated to operation at a specified detected count rate.
We report on the experimental realization of an absolute single-photon source based on a single nitrogen vacancy (NV) center in a nanodiamond at room temperature and on the calculation of its absolute spectral photon flux from experimental data. The single-photon source was calibrated with respect to its photon flux and its spectral photon rate density. The photon flux was measured with a low-noise silicon photodiode traceable to the primary standard for optical flux, taking into account the absolute spectral power distribution using a calibrated spectroradiometer. The optical radiant flux is adjustable from 55 fW, which is almost the lowest detection limit for the silicon photodiode, and 75 fW, which is the saturation power of the NV center. These fluxes correspond to total photon flux rates between 190,000 photons per second and 260,000 photons per second, respectively. The single-photon emission purity is indicated by a g((2))(0) value, which is between 0.10 and 0.23, depending on the excitation power. To our knowledge, this is the first single-photon source absolutely calibrated with respect to its absolute optical radiant flux and spectral power distribution, traceable to the corresponding national standards via an unbroken traceability chain. The prospects for its application, e.g., for the detection efficiency calibration of single-photon detectors as well as for use as a standard photon source in the low photon flux regime, are promising. (C) 2017 Optical Society of America
Abstract The traceability of measurements of the parameters characterizing single-photon sources, such as photon flux and optical power, paves the way towards their reliable comparison and quantitative evaluation. In this paper, we present an absolute measurement of the optical power of a single-photon source based on an InGaAs quantum dot under pulsed excitation with a calibrated single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) detector. For this purpose, a single excitonic line of the quantum dot emission with a bandwidth below 0.1 nm was spectrally filtered by using two tilted interference filters. Since high count rates are essential for many metrological applications, we optimized the setup efficiency by combining high overall transmission of the optical components with a geometrical enhancement of the extraction efficiency of a single quantum dot by a monolithic microlens to reach photon fluxes up to 3.7 ⋅ 10 5 photons per second at the SPADs. A relative calibration of two SPAD detectors with a relative standard uncertainty of 0.7% was carried out and verified by the standard calibration method using an attenuated laser. Finally, an Allan deviation analysis was performed giving an optimal averaging time of 92 s for the photon flux.