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Optical Engineering

Photon-pair characterization using one single-photon detector by time multiplexing

Yulin Zheng, Jiakun He, Chen Zhou, Wei Geng, Yunchuan Kong

Published Oct 30, 2019• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We experimentally demonstrate coincidence measurements as well as g(2) ( nτ ) correlation function measurements with only one single-photon detector (SPD) with the aid of field-programmable gate array and 2 × 2 fast optical switches. Both experiments produced similar results compared to conventional experimental methods, requiring more than one SPD. When detecting correlations between multiple single photons, this technique can be employed to reduce demands for the number of SPDs and potentially would be able to offer new options to researchers and institutions requiring coincidence measurement systems with lower complexity as well as smaller form factors.

DOI
10.1117/1.oe.58.10.104110

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We experimentally demonstrate coincidence measurements as well as g(2) ( nτ ) correlation function measurements with only one single-photon detector (SPD) with the aid of field-programmable gate array and 2 × 2 fast optical switches. Both experiments produced similar results compared to conventional experimental methods, requiring more than one SPD. When detecting correlations between multiple single photons, this technique can be employed to reduce demands for the number of SPDs and potentially would be able to offer new options to researchers and institutions requiring coincidence measurement systems with lower complexity as well as smaller form factors.
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Spatially entangled photon states are used in experiments addressing fundamental properties of quantum mechanics as well as practical applications [1]. Thereby, the use of these states demands for time-saving detection mechanisms, capable of measuring coincidences between spatially separated photons with high spatial and temporal resolution. In this work, we demonstrate coincidence detection of spatially correlated photon pairs by means of the SPADnet-I sensor [2], a fully digital 8×16 pixel single photon detector array in CMOS technology developed for medical applications. It enables per-pixel time stamping with 265 ps resolution combined with a high frame rate of 500 kfps [3]. Commonly used optically or electrically amplified CCD based systems exhibit magnitudes lower frame rates and temporal resolution.
In this study of quantum optics, we want to extract information associated with quantum mechanically entangled photon pairs. Measurements involved here take advantage of the fact that the photon pairs, created at the same point in space and time, will arrive “in coincidence” at detectors placed equally far from the source. Conservation of momentum also constrains the placement of these detectors. These effects, in combination, allow us to differentiate between these entangled photons and other stray photons that may reach the detectors. Initial efforts have included building a more stable laser mount, studying parametric down conversion (the process of converting the single beam into the entangled photon pairs), and establishing a small time interval for coincidence detection. For this, we explore the consequences of moving away from a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) for coincidence measurements and towards the use of a Programmable System on a Chip (PSoC), which essentially combines the fast digital logic gates of an FPGA with micro-controller functionality. We are gaining hands-on experience with some highly theoretical aspects intrinsic to quantum mechanics, expanding upon laboratory setups described in Mark Beck’s recent text on quantum mechanics, as well as materials from Exploring Quantum Physics through Hands-On Projects by David Prutchi and Shanni R. Prutchi.
The second-order photon correlation function g2(τ) is of great importance in quantum optics. g2(τ) is typically measured with the Hanbury Brown and Twiss (HBT) interferometer, which employs a pair of single-photon detectors and a dual-channel time acquisition module. Here, we demonstrate a new method to measure and extract g2(τ) with a standard single-photon avalanche photodiode (dead-time = 22 ns) and a single-channel time acquisition module. This is realized by shifting the coincidence counts of interest to a time window not affected by the dead-time and after-pulse of the detection system using a fiber-based delay line. The new scheme is verified by measuring g2(τ) from a single colloidal nanocrystal. Photon antibunching is unambiguously observed and agrees well with the result measured using the standard HBT setup. Our scheme simplifies the higher-order correlation technique and might be favored in cost-sensitive circumstances.
We demonstrate coincidence measurements of spatially entangled photons by means of a multi-pixel based detection array. The sensor, originally developed for positron emission tomography applications, is a fully digital 8×16 silicon photomultiplier array allowing not only photon counting but also per-pixel time stamping of the arrived photons with an effective resolution of 265 ps. Together with a frame rate of 500 kfps, this property exceeds the capabilities of conventional charge-coupled device cameras which have become of growing interest for the detection of transversely correlated photon pairs. The sensor is used to measure a second-order correlation function for various non-collinear configurations of entangled photons generated by spontaneous parametric down-conversion. The experimental results are compared to theory.
We demonstrate coincidence measurements of spatially entangled photons by means of a multi-pixel based detection array. The sensor, originally developed for positron emission tomography applications, is a fully digital 8×16 silicon photomultiplier array allowing not only photon counting but also per-pixel time stamping of the arrived photons with an effective resolution of 265 ps. Together with a frame rate of 500 kfps, this property exceeds the capabilities of conventional charge-coupled device cameras which have become of growing interest for the detection of transversely correlated photon pairs. The sensor is used to measure a second-order correlation function for various non-collinear configurations of entangled photons generated by spontaneous parametric down-conversion. The experimental results are compared to theory.