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Measurement of Photon Statistics with Live Photoreceptor Cells

Leonid A. Krivitsky

We study responses of live retinal photoreceptors to light sources with different photon statistics. We show the ability of the cells to discriminate between the sources, down to the level of single photons.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-OpticsJan 1, 20200 citations

Measuring Photon Statistics with Live Photoreceptor Cells

Nigel Sim, Dmitri A. Bessarab, C. Michael Jones +1 more

We study the response of an isolated rod photoreceptor under stimulation by well characterized coherent and pseudo-thermal light sources. The results reveal a crucial effect of the cell photobleaching on the statistics of its response.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-OpticsJan 1, 20120 citations

A proposal to measure the Rabi oscillations in the retinal rod cells

G. Strini, Rita M.R. Pizzi

The European Physical Journal DJul 21, 20092 citations

Measuring mouse retina response near the detection threshold to direct stimulation of photons with sub-poisson statistics

Amir Tavala, Krishna Dovzhik, K. Schicker +2 more

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyMar 16, 20170 citations

Measurement of Photon Statistics with Live Photoreceptor Cells

Nigel Sim, Mei Fun Cheng, Dmitri A. Bessarab +2 more

We analyzed the electrophysiological response of an isolated rod photoreceptor of Xenopus laevis under stimulation by coherent and pseudothermal light sources. Using the suction-electrode technique for single cell recordings and a fiber optics setup for light delivery allowed measurements of the major statistical characteristics of the rod response. The results indicate differences in average responses of rod cells to coherent and pseudothermal light of the same intensity and also differences in signal-to-noise ratios and second-order intensity correlation functions. These findings should be relevant for interdisciplinary studies seeking applications of quantum optics in biology.We analyzed the electrophysiological response of an isolated rod photoreceptor of Xenopus laevis under stimulation by coherent and pseudothermal light sources. Using the suction-electrode technique for single cell recordings and a fiber optics setup for light delivery allowed measurements of the major statistical characteristics of the rod response. The results indicate differences in average responses of rod cells to coherent and pseudothermal light of the same intensity and also differences in signal-to-noise ratios and second-order intensity correlation functions. These findings should be relevant for interdisciplinary studies seeking applications of quantum optics in biology.

arXiv:1201.2792Physical Review LettersSep 10, 201249 citations

Interaction of Fixed Number of Photons with Retinal Rod Cells

Nam Mai Phan, Mei Fun Cheng, Dmitri A. Bessarab +1 more

New tools and approaches of quantum optics offer a unique opportunity to generate light pulses carrying a precise number of photons. Accurate control over the light pulses helps to improve the characterization of photo-induced processes. Here, we interface a specialized light source which provides flashes containing just one photon, with retinal rod cells of Xenopus laevis toads. We provide unambiguous proof of single photon sensitivity of rod cells without relying on the statistical modeling. We determined their quantum efficiencies without the use of any pre-calibrated detectors, and obtained the value of 29+-4.7 %. Our approach provides the path for future studies and applications of quantum properties of light in phototransduction, vision, and photosynthesis.New tools and approaches of quantum optics offer a unique opportunity to generate light pulses carrying a precise number of photons. Accurate control over the light pulses helps to improve the characterization of photo-induced processes. Here, we interface a specialized light source which provides flashes containing just one photon, with retinal rod cells of Xenopus laevis toads. We provide unambiguous proof of single photon sensitivity of rod cells without relying on the statistical modeling. We determined their quantum efficiencies without the use of any pre-calibrated detectors, and obtained the value of 29+-4.7 %. Our approach provides the path for future studies and applications of quantum properties of light in phototransduction, vision, and photosynthesis.

arXiv:1308.0670Physical Review LettersMay 29, 201461 citations

Photoreceptors Measure Photon Statistics

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Photoreceptors Measure Photon Statistics

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