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A single-photon on demand source with decoupled single and multiphoton probabilities: initial results

Alan L. Migdall, David A. Branning, Stefania Castelletto, Michael J. Ware

Published Apr 1, 2003• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

We present an analysis of a multiplexed downconversion system designed to pro-duce a single-photon on-demand source, by a multiple delay line trigger, yielding a single-photon certification of the produced photons. We discuss theoretically a simple implementation of the system together with initial experimental results. The advent of photon-based quantum cryptography, communication and computation schemes1–4 is increasing the need for light sources that pro-duce individual photons; as unwanted additional photons can render quantum cryptographic links insecure and degrade quantum-computation efficiencies.5 More specifically, it would be useful to have these photons created in response to an external trigger, or even to have them arrive repetitively at a fixed, but selectable rate. As currently implemented, single-photon sources cannot be made to produce single photons with high probability, while simultane-ously suppressing the probability of yielding two or more photons. Because of this fact, single photon sources cannot really produce single photons on demand. We have previously described a multiplexed parametric downcon-

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We present an analysis of a multiplexed downconversion system designed to pro-duce a single-photon on-demand source, by a multiple delay line trigger, yielding a single-photon certification of the produced photons. We discuss theoretically a simple implementation of the system together with initial experimental results. The advent of photon-based quantum cryptography, communication and computation schemes1–4 is increasing the need for light sources that pro-duce individual photons; as unwanted additional photons can render quantum cryptographic links insecure and degrade quantum-computation efficiencies.5 More specifically, it would be useful to have these photons created in response to an external trigger, or even to have them arrive repetitively at a fixed, but selectable rate. As currently implemented, single-photon sources cannot be made to produce single photons with high probability, while simultane-ously suppressing the probability of yielding two or more photons. Because of this fact, single photon sources cannot really produce single photons on demand. We have previously described a multiplexed parametric downcon-
As currently implemented, single-photon sources cannot be made to produce single photons with high probability, while simultaneously suppressing the probability of yielding two or more photons. Because of this, single photon sources cannot really produce single photons on demand. We describe a multiplexed system that allows the probabilities of producing one and more photons to be adjusted independently, enabling a much better approximation of a source of single photons on demand. The scheme uses a heralded photon source based on parametric downconversion, but by effectively breaking the trigger detector area into multiple regions, we are able to extract more information about a heralded photon than is possible with a conventional arrangement. This scheme allows photons to be produced along with a quantitative ``certification'' that they are single photons. Some of the single-photon certifications can be significantly better than what is possible with conventional downconversion sources (using a unified trigger detector region), as well as being better than faint laser sources. With such a source of more tightly certified single photons, it should be possible to improve the maximum secure bit rate possible over a quantum cryptographic link. We present an analysis of the relative merits of this method over the conventional arrangement.
As currently implemented, single-photon sources cannot be made to produce single photons with high probability, while simultaneously suppressing the probability of yielding two or more photons. Because of this, single photon sources cannot really produce single photons on demand. We describe a multiplexed system that allows the probabilities of producing one and more photons to be adjusted independently, enabling a much better approximation of a source of single photons on demand. The scheme uses a heralded photon source based on parametric downconversion, but by effectively breaking the trigger detector area into multiple regions, we are able to extract more information about a heralded photon than is possible with a conventional arrangement. This scheme allows photons to be produced along with a quantitative 'certification' that they are single photons. Some of the single-photon certifications can be significantly better than what is possible with conventional downconversion sources, as well as being better than faint laser sources. With such a source of more tightly certified single photons, it should be possible to improve the maximum secure bit rate possible over a quantum cryptographic link. We present an analysis of the relative merits of this method over the conventional arrangement.
We present the status of our work implementing a single photon on-demand source based on a multiplexed arrangement of parametric downconverters. An array of downconverters with multiplexed outputs makes it possible to create light pulses with increased probability of containing a single photon, while suppressing the probability of producing more than one photon. This is crucial for quantum cryptographic applications. Our current setup implements the scheme in a greatly simplified manner that produces photons along with a measure of the likelihood that the light pulse emitted is just a single photon. This implementation uses a virtual array of downconverters and an array of staggered length optical fibers allowing a single detector to measure a herald photon output by a series of downconverters. This single detector arrangement is a great savings considering the cost of such detectors. The timing of the herald tells us which path the herald took, which in turn, provides information on the single vs. multiphoton probabilities. So far, our work shows that the individual correlated photon peaks are clearly resolvable with our 2.4 ns delay line steps and the 1 ns full width half maximum (FWHM) of the correlated photon peaks, and that we can observe four correlated photon peaks simultaneously, a requirement to fully implement our scheme. Our current efforts are to increase the brightness and utility of the system for incorporation into a quantum communication testbed.
We describe a method for generating single photons on demand by means of a modular array of spontaneous parametric downconverters that are mediated by electro-optic polarization controls. Our scheme allows easy addition of downconverter modules to improve single-photon generation performance while simultaneously further suppressing multiphoton events. We estimate that a single-photon generation probability of over 60% per pulse with a multiphoton probability of 1% is achievable with currently available technology. This on-demand source may significantly improve the performance of quantum key distribution, quantum communication, and quantum computation systems.