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OSA Optical Sensors and Sensing Congress 2021 (AIS, FTS, HISE, SENSORS, ES)

Mid-infrared balanced detector for characterization of quantum light

Tecla Gabbrielli, Francesco Cappelli, Natalia Bruno, Nicola Corrias, Simone Borri, Paolo De Natale, Alessandro Zavatta

Published Jan 1, 2021• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We present a novel shot-noise-limited balanced-homodyne detector operating in the mid-infrared useful for revealing possible non-classicality in quantum cascade lasers emission. We will give a view to quantum-technologies applications such as free-space quantum communication.
DOI
10.1364/sensors.2021.sw5f.7

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•Jan 1, 2012•0 citations
We present the characterization of a novel balanced homodyne detector operating in the mid-infrared. The challenging task of revealing non-classicality in mid-infrared light, e. g. in quantum cascade lasers emission, requires a high-performance detection system. Through the intensity noise power spectral density analysis of the differential signal coming from the incident radiation, we show that our setup is shot-noise limited. We discuss the experimental results with a view to possible applications to quantum technologies, such as free-space quantum communication.
Our work investigates the generation of non-classical light by cascade lasers in the mid-infrared (MIR, 3–5μm) spectral region. Using a MIR-balanced detector sensitive to the intensity noise below the classical level, we demonstrated shot-noise-limited operations of MIR cascade lasers. The same setup was exploited to measure four-wave-mixing-induced correlations between modes in harmonic combs emitted by these devices. Moreover, we recently tested the electron-to-photon noise transfer function in cascade lasers, paving the way to control their emissions down to the quantum level. These novel insights should make laser sensing possible at unprecedented sensitivity levels.
Low-noise, efficient, phase-sensitive time-domain optical detection is essential for foundational tests of quantum physics based on optical quantum states and the realization of numerous applications ranging from quantum key distribution to coherent classical telecommunications. Stability, bandwidth, efficiency, and signal-to-noise ratio are crucial performance parameters for effective detector operation. Here we present a high-bandwidth, low-noise, ultra-stable time-domain coherent measurement scheme based on balanced homodyne detection ideally suited to characterization of quantum and classical light fields in well-defined ultrashort optical pulse modes.
This thesis reports the realization and applications of a versatile wideband balanced homodyne detector operating in the time domain and intended for Quantum Optical Tomography. The detector can work with high repetition rate lasers used for the production and measurement of the electric field quadratures of quantum states of light. Full characterization of the detector by shot-noise measurements and by verifying its capability to reconstruct the density matrix and Wigner function of various states of interest is given. By overcoming photodiodes response mismatch, high frequency electronics issues and by choosing an appropriate optical set-up, a high level of common mode suppression (52.4dB) and a low electronic noise gave a shot-to-electronic noise ratio of I3dB for a Local Oscillator with 6.2 x 108 photons-per-pulse on a ~ 100MHz bandwidth. Results for the characterization of a single-photon Fock state are presented. An average efficiency of 56% was obtained for the generation/detection of the state.