Reducing noise in single-photon frequency conversion

Qing Li, Marcelo Davanço, Kartik A. Srinivasan

Paulina S. Kuo, Jason S. Pelc, Oliver Slattery +3 more

We demonstrate low-noise and efficient frequency conversion by sum-frequency mixing in a periodically poled LiNbO(3) (PPLN) waveguide. Using a 1556 nm pump, 1302 nm photons are efficiently converted to 709 nm photons. We obtain 70% conversion efficiency in the PPLN waveguide and >50% external conversion efficiency with 600 noise counts per second at peak conversion with continuous-wave pumping. We simultaneously achieve low noise and high conversion efficiency by careful spectral filtering. We discuss the impact of low-noise frequency translation on single-photon upconversion detection and quantum information applications.

Eiichi Kuramochi, Masaya Notomi

Maotong Liu, Han Chuen Lim, Akio Yoshizawa +1 more

A numerical simulation study is carried out to understand the optimal design of single photon frequency up-converter that achieves a large suppression of background noise without compromising photon frequency up-conversion efficiency. We show that by introducing a controlled amount of phase mismatch to the parasitic process of second-harmonic generation of the pump, background noise photons due to this process can be reduced effectively.

Lijun Ma, Oliver Slattery, Xiao Hong Tang

Paulina S. Kuo, Jason S. Pelc, Oliver Slattery +3 more

We demonstrate simultaneous low-noise and efficient frequency conversion in a periodically poled LiNbO3 waveguide with spectral filtering. We achieve >50% external conversion efficiency and 600 noise counts per second at peak conversion.