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

Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference

Technique for photon statistics reconstruction by using on/off detectors.

Marco Gramegna, Marco Genovese, G. Brida, Andrea Renato Rossi, Matteo G. A. Paris

Published May 1, 2007• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Report on first experimental applications of a measurement scheme with variable quantum efficiency single-photon ON/OFF detectors for evaluating the diagonal elements of the density matrix for various quantum optical states, without involving photon counting.
DOI
10.1109/qels.2007.4431762

Related papers

On reconstructing photon statistics by on/off detectors: Toward the multi-partite case

G. Brida, Marco Genovese, Matteo G. A. Paris +3 more

Reconstruction of photon statistics of optical states provides fundamental information on the nature of any optical field and finds various relevant applications. Nevertheless, no detector that can accurately discriminate the number of incident photons is available, whereas reconstruction by quantum tomography is not an easily implementable technique suited for a diffuse use. Even if on/off detectors, as usual avalanche photodiodes operating in Geiger mode, seem useless as photocounters, recently it was shown that reconstruction of photon statistics is possible by considering variable quantum efficiency. We have experimentally demonstrated the potential of this technique by reconstructing photon statistics for various optical fields both in the cw and pulsed regime ranging from heralded photon states to multi-thermal and coherent ones. In this paper, after having introduced the method, a review of the results obtained for the mono-partite case is given and the extension to bi-partite case is presented in detail.

Optics and Spectroscopy•Jul 1, 2007•4 citations

On the Reconstruction of Diagonal Elements of Density Matrix of Quantum Optical States by on/off Detectors

G. Brida, Marco Genovese, Marco Gramegna +3 more

We discuss a scheme for reconstructing experimentally the diagonal elements of a density matrix representing quantum optical state. Applications to PDC heralded photons, multi-thermal and attenuated coherent states are illustrated and discussed in more detail.

arXiv:quant-ph/0606046•Open Systems & Information Dynamics•Aug 31, 2006•12 citations

A review on recent results on on/off reconstruction of optical states

G. Brida, Marco Genovese, Marco Gramegna +6 more

The knowledge of the density matrix of a quantum state plays a fundamental role in several applications, from quantum information to Standard Quantum Mechanics foundations investigation. Recently, a method has been implemented in order to obtain the reconstruction of the (diagonal) elements of the density matrix exploiting the information achievable with realistic on/off detectors (e.g. silicon avalanche photo-diodes). Purpose of this paper is to introduce this on/off method and present the last experimental results obtained with it in several different cases.

•Oct 30, 2008•2 citations

On/off Detection Method for Reconstructing the Statistics of Quantum Optical States: An Overview

G. Brida, Marco Genovese, Marco Gramegna +3 more

We give a brief overview of the demonstration of a photon statistics reconstruction method based on Maximum Likelihood estimation and on/off detection. This method has been successfully applied to a large number of cases and, recently, extended to a scheme for a full reconstruction of the density matrix. Experimental results concerning the heralded single-photon state and the seeded parametric down-conversion are presented in some details.

International Conference on Quantum, Nano and Micro Technologies (ICQNM)•Feb 1, 2009•0 citations

Experimental Reconstruction of Photon Statistics without Photon Counting

Guido Zambra, Alessandra Andreoni, Maria Bondani +5 more

Experimental reconstructions of photon number distributions of both continuous-wave and pulsed light beams are reported. Our scheme is based on on/off avalanche photo-detection assisted by maximum-likelihood estimation and does not involve photon counting. Reconstructions of the distribution for both semiclassical and quantum states of light are reported for single-mode as well as for multi-mode beams.

arXiv:quant-ph/0502060•Physical Review Letters•Aug 5, 2005•167 citations

Measuring the photon distribution with ON/OFF photodetectors

Marco Genovese, Marco Gramegna, G. Brida +5 more

Reconstruction of photon statistics of optical states provides fundamental information on the nature of any optical field and helps with various relevant applications. Nevertheless, no detector that can reliably discriminate the number of incident photons is available. On the other hand, the alternative of reconstructing the density matrix by quantum tomography leads to various technical difficulties that are particularly severe in the pulsed regime (where mode matching between a signal and local oscillator is very challenging). Even if on/off detectors, as usual avalanche photodiodes operating in Geiger mode, seem useless as photo-counters, it was recently shown how reconstruction of photon statistics is possible by considering a variable quantum efficiency. Here we present experimental reconstructions of photon number distributions of both continuous-wave and pulsed light beams in a scheme based on on/off avalanche photodetection assisted by maximum-likelihood estimation. Reconstructions of the distribution for both semiclassical and quantum states of light (as single photon, coherent, pseudothermal, and multithermal states) are reported for single-mode and multimode beams. The stability and good accuracy obtained in the reconstruction of these states clearly demonstrate the interesting potentialities of this simple technique.

arXiv:quant-ph/0601175•Laser Physics•Feb 1, 2006•32 citations
Reconstruction of photon statistics of optical states provides fundamental information on the nature of any optical field and finds various relevant applications. Nevertheless, no detector that can accurately discriminate the number of incident photons is available, whereas reconstruction by quantum tomography is not an easily implementable technique suited for a diffuse use. Even if on/off detectors, as usual avalanche photodiodes operating in Geiger mode, seem useless as photocounters, recently it was shown that reconstruction of photon statistics is possible by considering variable quantum efficiency. We have experimentally demonstrated the potential of this technique by reconstructing photon statistics for various optical fields both in the cw and pulsed regime ranging from heralded photon states to multi-thermal and coherent ones. In this paper, after having introduced the method, a review of the results obtained for the mono-partite case is given and the extension to bi-partite case is presented in detail.
The knowledge of the density matrix of a quantum state plays a fundamental role in several applications, from quantum information to Standard Quantum Mechanics foundations investigation. Recently, a method has been implemented in order to obtain the reconstruction of the (diagonal) elements of the density matrix exploiting the information achievable with realistic on/off detectors (e.g. silicon avalanche photo-diodes). Purpose of this paper is to introduce this on/off method and present the last experimental results obtained with it in several different cases.
Reconstruction of photon statistics of optical states provides fundamental information on the nature of any optical field and helps with various relevant applications. Nevertheless, no detector that can reliably discriminate the number of incident photons is available. On the other hand, the alternative of reconstructing the density matrix by quantum tomography leads to various technical difficulties that are particularly severe in the pulsed regime (where mode matching between a signal and local oscillator is very challenging). Even if on/off detectors, as usual avalanche photodiodes operating in Geiger mode, seem useless as photo-counters, it was recently shown how reconstruction of photon statistics is possible by considering a variable quantum efficiency. Here we present experimental reconstructions of photon number distributions of both continuous-wave and pulsed light beams in a scheme based on on/off avalanche photodetection assisted by maximum-likelihood estimation. Reconstructions of the distribution for both semiclassical and quantum states of light (as single photon, coherent, pseudothermal, and multithermal states) are reported for single-mode and multimode beams. The stability and good accuracy obtained in the reconstruction of these states clearly demonstrate the interesting potentialities of this simple technique.