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

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)

Operational Description of Single-Photon Detectors Including Timing-Jitter Effects

Élie Gouzien, Bruno Fedrici, François Mondain, Alessandro Zavatta, Sébastien Tanzilli, Virginia D’Auria

Published Jun 1, 2019• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Discrete variable quantum optics stands as one of the most prominent platform for quantum technologies with an increasing number of encouraging out-of-the-laboratory implementations [1]. The quest for competitive quantum photonic systems, compatible with future engineered systems, has promoted huge developments concerning both source and detection devices [2]. To date, a critical point lies in experiments' operation rates. Time multiplexing technics allow in principle to pump photonic sources at rates on the order of the GHz [3]. However, a strong limitation to ultra-fast operation lies in timing errors at the detection stage. Limited resolution directly affects the quality of any time-correlated single photon counting or quantum state engineering operations [3]. In particular, single photon detector's timing-jitters lead counts associated with a given optical clock cycle to appear as temporally indistinguishable from those corresponding to neighbouring ones [2].

DOI
10.1109/cleoe-eqec.2019.8872567

Related papers

Quantum description of timing jitter for single-photon ON-OFF detectors

Élie Gouzien, Bruno Fedrici, Alessandro Zavatta +2 more

In the context of ultrafast quantum communication and random number generation, detection-timing jitter represents a strong limitation because it can introduce major time-tagging errors and affect the quality of time-correlated photon counting or quantum state engineering. Despite their importance in emerging photonic quantum technologies, no detector model including such effects has been developed so far. We propose here an operational theoretical model based on positive operator-valued measurements density formalism that is able to explicitly quantify the effect of timing jitter for a typical class of single-photon detector. We apply our model to some common experimental situations.

arXiv:1807.00722•Physical Review A•Jul 18, 2018•14 citations

Quantum Description of Single Photon Detectors Including Timing-Jitter Effects

Élie Gouzien, Bruno Fedrici, Alessandro Zavatta +2 more

We model single photon detectors by explicitly taking into account their timing- jitter, finite efficiency and dead-time effects. Our model represents the first operational and full description of temporal limitations of those detectors.

Quantum Information and Measurement (QIM)•Jan 1, 2019•0 citations

Single Photon Detectors’s Timing-Jitter Quantum Description

Élie Gouzien, Bruno Fedrici, Alessandro Zavatta +2 more

We model single photon detectors by explicitly taking into account their timing-jitter, finite efficiency and dead-time effects. Our model represents the first operational and full description of temporal limitations of those detectors.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Jan 1, 2019•2 citations

Ultra-fast single-photon counting with waveguide-integrated detectors for quantum technologies

Fabian Beutel, Matthias Häußler, Robin Terhaar +13 more

With recent advances in quantum technologies for applications such as communication, cryptography, computing, metrology and sensing, the performance and scalability of single-photon detection as a vital key component is becoming increasingly important. At the same time, ongoing efforts in the development of high-performance photonic integrated circuits (PIC) benefit the miniaturization and scalability of these quantum technologies. Waveguide-integrated superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (WI-SNSPDs) allow to combine excellent performance metrics, such as high detection efficiency, low dark-count rates and low timing jitter below 20 ps with the scalability and functionality that PIC platforms such as Si3N4 provide. We have previously demonstrated broadband efficient single-photon detection with a single device over a range from visible to mid-infrared wavelengths and ultra-fast detector recovery times allowing for up to GHz count rates. Here, we present the utilization of WI-SNSPDs for discrete-variable quantum cryptography receivers with the complete photonic circuitry embedded together with the single-photon detectors on a single silicon chip, where the secret-key rates greatly benefit from the short recovery times of the detectors especially for metropolitan distances. We further realize a fully packaged 64 channel WI-SNSPD matrix for use in a wavelengthdivision multiplexed QKD setup.

Advanced Photon Counting Techniques•May 27, 2022•0 citations

Multiplexed pseudo-deterministic photon source with asymmetric switching elements

Sebastian Brandhofer, Casey R. Myers, Simon J. Devitt +1 more

Abstract The reliable, deterministic production of trustworthy high-quality single photons is a critical component of discrete variable, optical quantum technology. For single-photon based fully error-corrected quantum computing systems, it is estimated that photon sources will be required to produce a reliable stream of photons at rates exceeding 1 GHz (Vigliar et al., 2021). Photon multiplexing, where low probability sources are combined with switching networks to route successful production events to an output, are a potential solution but requires extremely fast single-photon switching with ultra-low-loss rates. In this paper, we examine the specific properties of the switching elements and present a new design that exploits the general one-way properties of common switching elements such as thermal pads. By introducing multiple switches to a basic, temporal multiplexing device, we can use slow switching elements in a multiplexed source being pumped at much faster rates. We model this design under multiple error channels and show that anticipated performance is now limited by the intrinsic loss rate of the optical waveguides within integrated photonic chipsets. While the developed design does not achieve the necessary 1 GHz photon rate, we demonstrate design elements that could become useful when underlying technology improves.

arXiv:2301.07258•Research Directions Quantum Technologies•Jan 1, 2024•5 citations

Single Photon Detectors's Timing-Jitter Quantum Description

Élie Gouzien, Bruno Fedrici, Alessandro Zavatta +2 more

We model single photon detectors by explicitly taking into account their timing-jitter, finite efficiency and dead-time effects. Our model represents the first operational and full description of temporal limitations of those detectors. © 2019 The Author(s)

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•May 5, 2019•0 citations
Discrete variable quantum optics stands as one of the most prominent platform for quantum technologies with an increasing number of encouraging out-of-the-laboratory implementations [1]. The quest for competitive quantum photonic systems, compatible with future engineered systems, has promoted huge developments concerning both source and detection devices [2]. To date, a critical point lies in experiments' operation rates. Time multiplexing technics allow in principle to pump photonic sources at rates on the order of the GHz [3]. However, a strong limitation to ultra-fast operation lies in timing errors at the detection stage. Limited resolution directly affects the quality of any time-correlated single photon counting or quantum state engineering operations [3]. In particular, single photon detector's timing-jitters lead counts associated with a given optical clock cycle to appear as temporally indistinguishable from those corresponding to neighbouring ones [2].
In the context of ultrafast quantum communication and random number generation, detection-timing jitter represents a strong limitation because it can introduce major time-tagging errors and affect the quality of time-correlated photon counting or quantum state engineering. Despite their importance in emerging photonic quantum technologies, no detector model including such effects has been developed so far. We propose here an operational theoretical model based on positive operator-valued measurements density formalism that is able to explicitly quantify the effect of timing jitter for a typical class of single-photon detector. We apply our model to some common experimental situations.
With recent advances in quantum technologies for applications such as communication, cryptography, computing, metrology and sensing, the performance and scalability of single-photon detection as a vital key component is becoming increasingly important. At the same time, ongoing efforts in the development of high-performance photonic integrated circuits (PIC) benefit the miniaturization and scalability of these quantum technologies. Waveguide-integrated superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (WI-SNSPDs) allow to combine excellent performance metrics, such as high detection efficiency, low dark-count rates and low timing jitter below 20 ps with the scalability and functionality that PIC platforms such as Si3N4 provide. We have previously demonstrated broadband efficient single-photon detection with a single device over a range from visible to mid-infrared wavelengths and ultra-fast detector recovery times allowing for up to GHz count rates. Here, we present the utilization of WI-SNSPDs for discrete-variable quantum cryptography receivers with the complete photonic circuitry embedded together with the single-photon detectors on a single silicon chip, where the secret-key rates greatly benefit from the short recovery times of the detectors especially for metropolitan distances. We further realize a fully packaged 64 channel WI-SNSPD matrix for use in a wavelengthdivision multiplexed QKD setup.
Abstract The reliable, deterministic production of trustworthy high-quality single photons is a critical component of discrete variable, optical quantum technology. For single-photon based fully error-corrected quantum computing systems, it is estimated that photon sources will be required to produce a reliable stream of photons at rates exceeding 1 GHz (Vigliar et al., 2021). Photon multiplexing, where low probability sources are combined with switching networks to route successful production events to an output, are a potential solution but requires extremely fast single-photon switching with ultra-low-loss rates. In this paper, we examine the specific properties of the switching elements and present a new design that exploits the general one-way properties of common switching elements such as thermal pads. By introducing multiple switches to a basic, temporal multiplexing device, we can use slow switching elements in a multiplexed source being pumped at much faster rates. We model this design under multiple error channels and show that anticipated performance is now limited by the intrinsic loss rate of the optical waveguides within integrated photonic chipsets. While the developed design does not achieve the necessary 1 GHz photon rate, we demonstrate design elements that could become useful when underlying technology improves.