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

Review of Scientific Instruments

Single-photon sources: Approaching the ideal through multiplexing

Evan Meyer-Scott, Christine Silberhorn, Alan L. Migdall

Published Apr 1, 2020• 202 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We review the rapid recent progress in single-photon sources based on multiplexing multiple probabilistic photon-creation events. Such multiplexing allows higher single-photon probabilities and lower contamination from higher-order photon states. We study the requirements for multiplexed sources and compare various approaches to multiplexing using different degrees of freedom.

DOI
10.1063/5.0003320

Related papers

Recent Progress in Multiplexed Single-Photon Sources

Петер Адам, Matyas I. Mechler

We review the progress in multiplexed single-photon sources, including overviews on heralded single-photon sources and photon-number-resolving detectors, the various approaches to multiplexing, and their successful experimental realizations. We also summarize the recent results on the theoretical description and optimization of multiplexed single-photon sources, focusing on the procedures and methods that enable the improvement of the performance of these sources.

Applied Sciences•Dec 2, 2024•7 citations

Exploring the limits of multiplexed photon-pair sources for the preparation of pure single-photon states

Robert J. A. Francis-Jones, Peter J. Mosley

Current sources of heralded single photons based on nonlinear optics operate in a probabilistic manner. In order to build quantum-enhanced devices based around the use of single photons, compact, turn-key and deterministic sources are required. A possible solution is to multiplex a number of sources to increase the single-photon generation probability and in so doing reducing the waiting time to deliver large numbers of photons simultaneously, from independent sources. Previously it has been shown that, in the ideal case, 17 multiplexed sources allow deterministic generation of heralded single photons [Christ and Silberhorn, Phys. Rev. A 85, 023829 (2012)]. Here we extend this analysis to include undesirable effects of detector inefficiency and photon loss on a number of multiplexed sources using a variety of different detectors for heralding. We compare these systems for fixed signal-to-noise ratio to allow a direct comparison of performance for real- world heralded single photon sources.

arXiv:1409.1394•Sep 4, 2014•9 citations

Silicon-based integrated four-way spatially multiplexed multi-port single-photon source

Baojie Hou, Qishen Liang, Haoran Ma +8 more

Heralded single-photon sources represent a key enabling solution for enhancing the single-photon generation probability. This work introduces an innovative combinatorial distribution multiplexing scheme for the simultaneous creation of multi-port single photons with high probability.

Optical Fiber Communication Conference•Jan 1, 2026•0 citations

Quantum photonics: how far can we go?

Paul G. Kwiat

Although existing experiments have implemented protocols employing up to 10 or even 12 photons, the inefficiencies of sources has resulted in exceedingly low rates of these high-photon events. Single and entangled-photon emitters both suffer from probabilistic operation, substantial losses, or both, so that extrapolating even to 20 photons is discouraging. However, recent experiments employing multiplexing techniques can trade overall rate (or component count) for increased probability, e.g., factors of 10-30 enhancement have been demonstrated. How far can such experiments be pushed? Using our best guesstimates on what system capabilities may be feasible, we discuss the near-term future for multi-photon quantum processing.

Photonics for Quantum (PfQ)•Aug 27, 2021•0 citations

Tailoring single-photon and multiphoton probabilities of a single-photon on-demand source

Alan L. Migdall, David A. Branning, Stefania Castelletto

As typically 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.

arXiv:quant-ph/0205140•Physical Review A•Nov 13, 2002•309 citations

Effect of loss on multiplexed single-photon sources

Damien Bonneau, Gabriel J. Mendoza, Jeremy L. O’Brien +1 more

An on-demand single-photon source is a key requirement for scaling many optical quantum technologies. A promising approach to realize an on-demand single-photon source is to multiplex an array of heralded single-photon sources using an active optical switching network. However, the performance of multiplexed sources is degraded by photon loss in the optical components and the non-unit detection efficiency of the heralding detectors. We provide a theoretical description of a general multiplexed single-photon source with lossy components and derive expressions for the output probabilities of single-photon emission and multi-photon contamination. We apply these expressions to three specific multiplexing source architectures and consider their tradeoffs in design and performance. To assess the effect of lossy components on near- and long-term experimental goals, we simulate the multiplexed sources when used for many-photon state generation under various amounts of component loss. We find that with a multiplexed source composed of switches with ∼ 0.2 − 0.4 dB loss and high efficiency number-resolving detectors, a single-photon source capable of efficiently producing 20–40 photon states with low multi-photon contamination is possible, offering the possibility of unlocking new classes of experiments and technologies.

arXiv:1409.5341•New Journal of Physics•Apr 28, 2015•90 citations
We review the rapid recent progress in single-photon sources based on multiplexing multiple probabilistic photon-creation events. Such multiplexing allows higher single-photon probabilities and lower contamination from higher-order photon states. We study the requirements for multiplexed sources and compare various approaches to multiplexing using different degrees of freedom.
Current sources of heralded single photons based on nonlinear optics operate in a probabilistic manner. In order to build quantum-enhanced devices based around the use of single photons, compact, turn-key and deterministic sources are required. A possible solution is to multiplex a number of sources to increase the single-photon generation probability and in so doing reducing the waiting time to deliver large numbers of photons simultaneously, from independent sources. Previously it has been shown that, in the ideal case, 17 multiplexed sources allow deterministic generation of heralded single photons [Christ and Silberhorn, Phys. Rev. A 85, 023829 (2012)]. Here we extend this analysis to include undesirable effects of detector inefficiency and photon loss on a number of multiplexed sources using a variety of different detectors for heralding. We compare these systems for fixed signal-to-noise ratio to allow a direct comparison of performance for real- world heralded single photon sources.
Although existing experiments have implemented protocols employing up to 10 or even 12 photons, the inefficiencies of sources has resulted in exceedingly low rates of these high-photon events. Single and entangled-photon emitters both suffer from probabilistic operation, substantial losses, or both, so that extrapolating even to 20 photons is discouraging. However, recent experiments employing multiplexing techniques can trade overall rate (or component count) for increased probability, e.g., factors of 10-30 enhancement have been demonstrated. How far can such experiments be pushed? Using our best guesstimates on what system capabilities may be feasible, we discuss the near-term future for multi-photon quantum processing.
An on-demand single-photon source is a key requirement for scaling many optical quantum technologies. A promising approach to realize an on-demand single-photon source is to multiplex an array of heralded single-photon sources using an active optical switching network. However, the performance of multiplexed sources is degraded by photon loss in the optical components and the non-unit detection efficiency of the heralding detectors. We provide a theoretical description of a general multiplexed single-photon source with lossy components and derive expressions for the output probabilities of single-photon emission and multi-photon contamination. We apply these expressions to three specific multiplexing source architectures and consider their tradeoffs in design and performance. To assess the effect of lossy components on near- and long-term experimental goals, we simulate the multiplexed sources when used for many-photon state generation under various amounts of component loss. We find that with a multiplexed source composed of switches with ∼ 0.2 − 0.4 dB loss and high efficiency number-resolving detectors, a single-photon source capable of efficiently producing 20–40 photon states with low multi-photon contamination is possible, offering the possibility of unlocking new classes of experiments and technologies.