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

Optics Letters

Periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide sum-frequency generator for efficient single-photon detection at communication wavelengths

Rostislav V. Roussev, Carsten Langrock, Jonathan R. Kurz, M. M. Fejer

Published Jul 1, 2004• 188 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We present a device to facilitate single-photon detection at communication wavelengths based on continuous-wave sum-frequency generation with an upconversion efficiency exceeding 90%. Sum-frequency generation in a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide is used to upconvert signal photons to the near infrared, where detection can be performed efficiently by use of silicon avalanche photodiodes.

DOI
10.1364/ol.29.001518

Related papers

Single-Photon Detection at 1550 nm via Upconversion Using a Tunable Long-Wavelength Pump Source

Jason S. Pelc, Christopher R. Phillips, Carsten Langrock +5 more

We demonstrate 37% single-photon detection efficiency at 1550 nm via sum-frequency generation in a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide, by pumping with a monolithic optical parametric oscillator tunable near 1800 nm.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Jan 1, 2011•3 citations

Single-Photon Detection in Near-Infrared Region Based on Frequency Upconversion in MgO-Doped Periodically-Poled Lithium Niobate Waveguide

Da Li, Yi Jiang, Yujie J. Ding +3 more

MgO-doped periodically-poled LiNbO3 waveguide is used to up-convert photons at 1.535-1.568 µm to those at 598-603 nm, which can be detected by avalanche photodetector at single-photon counting level. Conversion efficiencies up to 45% are achieved.

•Jan 1, 2011•0 citations

Mid-infrared single-photon counting

Guilherme P. Temporão, Sébastien Tanzilli, Hugo Zbinden +4 more

We report a procedure to detect mid-infrared single photons at 4.65 microm by means of a two-stage scheme based on sum-frequency generation, by using a periodically poled lithium niobate nonlinear crystal and a silicon avalanche photodiode. An experimental investigation shows that, in addition to a high timing resolution, this technique yields a detection sensitivity of 1.24 pW with 63 mW of net pump power.

arXiv:quant-ph/0511254•Optics Letters•Mar 29, 2006•62 citations

Highly efficient single-photon detection at communication wavelengths by use of upconversion in reverse-proton-exchanged periodically poled LiNbO_3 waveguides

Carsten Langrock, Eleni Diamanti, Rostislav V. Roussev +3 more

Conventional single-photon detectors at communication wavelengths suffer from low quantum efficiencies and large dark counts. We present a single-photon detection system, operating at communication wavelengths, based on guided-wave frequency upconversion in a nonlinear crystal with an overall system detection efficiency (upconversion + detection) exceeding 46% at 1.56 microm. This system consists of a fiber-pigtailed reverse-proton-exchanged periodically poled LiNbO3 waveguide device in conjunction with a silicon-based single-photon counting module.

Optics Letters•Jul 1, 2005•321 citations

Tunable upconversion photon detector

Rob Thew, Hugo Zbinden, Nicolas Gisin

We introduce a simple approach for a tunable upconversion detector. This scheme is relevant for both single photon detection or anywhere where low light levels at telecom wavelengths need to be detected with a high degree of temporal resolution or where high count rates are desired. A system combining a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide for the nonlinear wavelength conversion and a low jitter silicon avalanche photodiode is used in conjunction with a tunable pump source. We report more than a tenfold increase in the detectable bandwidth using this tuning scheme.

arXiv:0807.3399•Applied Physics Letters•Aug 18, 2008•68 citations

Ultra-sensitive NIR-spectrometer based on frequency up-conversion detector

Lijun Ma, Oliver Slattery, Xiao Hong Tang

We developed a spectrometer for signals at single photon levels in the near infrared (NIR) region based on a tunable up-conversion detector. This detector uses a 5-cm periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguide to convert NIR photons to a shorter wavelength that are then detected by a silicon avalanche photodiode. The sensitivity of this spectrometer is -126 dBm, which is three orders-of-magnitude higher than any commercial optical spectrum analyzer in this wavelength range. Additionally, we use two PPLN waveguides to implement a polarization-independent up-conversion spectrometer, and use it to study a fiber-based quantum communication system.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Apr 19, 2010•4 citations
We present a device to facilitate single-photon detection at communication wavelengths based on continuous-wave sum-frequency generation with an upconversion efficiency exceeding 90%. Sum-frequency generation in a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide is used to upconvert signal photons to the near infrared, where detection can be performed efficiently by use of silicon avalanche photodiodes.
Conventional single-photon detectors at communication wavelengths suffer from low quantum efficiencies and large dark counts. We present a single-photon detection system, operating at communication wavelengths, based on guided-wave frequency upconversion in a nonlinear crystal with an overall system detection efficiency (upconversion + detection) exceeding 46% at 1.56 microm. This system consists of a fiber-pigtailed reverse-proton-exchanged periodically poled LiNbO3 waveguide device in conjunction with a silicon-based single-photon counting module.
We introduce a simple approach for a tunable upconversion detector. This scheme is relevant for both single photon detection or anywhere where low light levels at telecom wavelengths need to be detected with a high degree of temporal resolution or where high count rates are desired. A system combining a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide for the nonlinear wavelength conversion and a low jitter silicon avalanche photodiode is used in conjunction with a tunable pump source. We report more than a tenfold increase in the detectable bandwidth using this tuning scheme.
We developed a spectrometer for signals at single photon levels in the near infrared (NIR) region based on a tunable up-conversion detector. This detector uses a 5-cm periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguide to convert NIR photons to a shorter wavelength that are then detected by a silicon avalanche photodiode. The sensitivity of this spectrometer is -126 dBm, which is three orders-of-magnitude higher than any commercial optical spectrum analyzer in this wavelength range. Additionally, we use two PPLN waveguides to implement a polarization-independent up-conversion spectrometer, and use it to study a fiber-based quantum communication system.