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

Metrologia

Metrological characterization of a commercial single-photon source with high photon flux emission

Hristina Georgieva, Petr Stepanov, Leonora Sewidan, Anton Pishchagin, Marco López, S. Kück

Published Jul 10, 2024• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract We present a comprehensive metrological characterization of a commercial single-photon source with high photon flux emission for use in radiometry. The source is based on an InGaAs quantum dot in a micropillar. A comparative analysis of two excitation schemes—phonon-assisted excitation and two-photon excitation—explores differences in excitation power dependence, temporal stability and single-photon purity. The commercial source exhibits excellent properties for the field of quantum radiometry, achieving simultaneously a photon flux of (17.19 ± 0.09) million photons/s for a pulse repetition rate of 79.4 MHz, and a single-photon purity of 98%. Its optical power of (3.68 ± 0.02) pW is directly determined with a traceably calibrated low-noise photodiode. The ability to directly compare the photocurrent in a low-noise photodiode with the count rate at a single-photon avalanche detector allows for a seamless transition between the classical and quantum realizations of optical power. Therefore, we were able to build another bridge between classical and quantum radiometry by using a deterministic single-photon source.

DOI
10.1088/1681-7575/ad615e

Related papers

Radiometric characterization of a triggered narrow-bandwidth single-photon source and its use for the calibration of silicon single-photon avalanche detectors

Hristina Georgieva, Marco López, Helmuth Hofer +8 more

Abstract The traceability of measurements of the parameters characterizing single-photon sources, such as photon flux and optical power, paves the way towards their reliable comparison and quantitative evaluation. In this paper, we present an absolute measurement of the optical power of a single-photon source based on an InGaAs quantum dot under pulsed excitation with a calibrated single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) detector. For this purpose, a single excitonic line of the quantum dot emission with a bandwidth below 0.1 nm was spectrally filtered by using two tilted interference filters. Since high count rates are essential for many metrological applications, we optimized the setup efficiency by combining high overall transmission of the optical components with a geometrical enhancement of the extraction efficiency of a single quantum dot by a monolithic microlens to reach photon fluxes up to 3.7 ⋅ 10 5 photons per second at the SPADs. A relative calibration of two SPAD detectors with a relative standard uncertainty of 0.7% was carried out and verified by the standard calibration method using an attenuated laser. Finally, an Allan deviation analysis was performed giving an optimal averaging time of 92 s for the photon flux.

Metrologia•Jun 17, 2020•14 citations

A Molecule‐Based Single‐Photon Source Applied in Quantum Radiometry

Pietro Lombardi, Marco Trapuzzano, Maja Colautti +5 more

Abstract Single‐photon sources (SPSs) based on quantum emitters hold promise in quantum radiometry as metrology standard for photon fluxes at the low light level. Ideally this requires control over the photon flux in a wide dynamic range, sub‐Poissonian photon statistics, and narrow‐band emission spectrum. In this work, a monochromatic SPS based on an organic dye molecule is presented, whose photon flux is traceably measured to be adjustable between 144 000 and 1320 000 photons per second at a wavelength of (785.6 ± 0.1) nm, corresponding to an optical radiant flux between 36.5 and 334 fW. The high purity of the single‐photon stream is verified, with a second‐order autocorrelation function at zero time delay below 0.1 throughout the whole range. Such molecule‐based SPS is hence used for the calibration of a single‐photon avalanche detector against a low‐noise analog photodiode traceable to the primary standard for optical radiant flux (i.e., the cryogenic radiometer). Due to the narrow bandwidth of the source, corrections to the detector efficiency arising from the spectral power distribution are negligible. With this major advantage, the developed device may finally realize a low‐photon‐flux standard source for quantum radiometry.

arXiv:1908.00616•Advanced Quantum Technologies•Oct 22, 2019•41 citations

Single photon sources for quantum radiometry: a brief review about the current state-of-the-art

S. Kück, Marco López, Helmuth Hofer +17 more

Abstract Single-photon sources have a variety of applications. One of these is quantum radiometry, which is reported on in this paper in the form of an overview, specifically of the current state of the art in the application of deterministic single photon sources to the calibration of single photon detectors. To optimize single-photon sources for this purpose, extensive research is currently carried out at the European National Metrology Institutes (NMIs), in collaboration with partners from universities. Single-photon sources of different types are currently under investigation, including sources based on defect centres in (nano-)diamonds, on molecules and on semiconductor quantum dots. We will present, summarise, and compare the current results obtained at European NMIs for single-photon sources in terms of photon flux, single-photon purity, and spectral power distribution as well as the results of single-photon detector calibrations carried out with this type of light sources.

Applied Physics B•Jan 23, 2022•11 citations

A photonic source with half-a-GHz single-photon flux

P. Zahalka, S. Huijser, A. Pancaldi +10 more

Advanced optical quantum technologies demands high quality quantum light generation at very high rates. Here, we report on a deterministic single-photon source that simultaneously combines high excitation rates with high system efficiency to reach over 500 MHz of in-fibre single-photon flux. The source delivers optical power of over 100 pW, as is measured with an off-the-shelf powermeter, enabling a simple and direct way of determining the single-photon source fiber efficiency.

quant-pharXiv:2609.05387•Sep 7, 2026•0 citations

A germanium-vacancy center in diamond as single-photon source for radiometric application

Justus Christinck, F. Hirt, H. Hofer +7 more

Abstract We present the metrological characterization of a single-photon source based on a germanium-vacancy center in diamond under a solid immersion lens in a confocal microscope setup at room temperature. It was characterized in terms of the emission’s spectral distribution, single-photon purity, temporal stability and the emitter’s excited state lifetime and saturation behavior. An Allan deviation analysis was performed on the emission of the single-photon source to determine the optimal averaging time of the photon flux. The single-photon source was used for the relative calibration of the detection efficiency of two single-photon avalanche diode detectors. The results were compared with measurements using attenuated laser light for the calibration of the detectors.

Journal of Physics Conference Series•Oct 1, 2024•0 citations

Experimental realization of an absolute single-photon source based on a single nitrogen vacancy center in a nanodiamond

Beatrice Rodiek, Marco López, Helmuth Hofer +8 more

We report on the experimental realization of an absolute single-photon source based on a single nitrogen vacancy (NV) center in a nanodiamond at room temperature and on the calculation of its absolute spectral photon flux from experimental data. The single-photon source was calibrated with respect to its photon flux and its spectral photon rate density. The photon flux was measured with a low-noise silicon photodiode traceable to the primary standard for optical flux, taking into account the absolute spectral power distribution using a calibrated spectroradiometer. The optical radiant flux is adjustable from 55 fW, which is almost the lowest detection limit for the silicon photodiode, and 75 fW, which is the saturation power of the NV center. These fluxes correspond to total photon flux rates between 190,000 photons per second and 260,000 photons per second, respectively. The single-photon emission purity is indicated by a g((2))(0) value, which is between 0.10 and 0.23, depending on the excitation power. To our knowledge, this is the first single-photon source absolutely calibrated with respect to its absolute optical radiant flux and spectral power distribution, traceable to the corresponding national standards via an unbroken traceability chain. The prospects for its application, e.g., for the detection efficiency calibration of single-photon detectors as well as for use as a standard photon source in the low photon flux regime, are promising. (C) 2017 Optical Society of America

Optica•Jan 4, 2017•79 citations
Abstract We present a comprehensive metrological characterization of a commercial single-photon source with high photon flux emission for use in radiometry. The source is based on an InGaAs quantum dot in a micropillar. A comparative analysis of two excitation schemes—phonon-assisted excitation and two-photon excitation—explores differences in excitation power dependence, temporal stability and single-photon purity. The commercial source exhibits excellent properties for the field of quantum radiometry, achieving simultaneously a photon flux of (17.19 ± 0.09) million photons/s for a pulse repetition rate of 79.4 MHz, and a single-photon purity of 98%. Its optical power of (3.68 ± 0.02) pW is directly determined with a traceably calibrated low-noise photodiode. The ability to directly compare the photocurrent in a low-noise photodiode with the count rate at a single-photon avalanche detector allows for a seamless transition between the classical and quantum realizations of optical power. Therefore, we were able to build another bridge between classical and quantum radiometry by using a deterministic single-photon source.
Abstract The traceability of measurements of the parameters characterizing single-photon sources, such as photon flux and optical power, paves the way towards their reliable comparison and quantitative evaluation. In this paper, we present an absolute measurement of the optical power of a single-photon source based on an InGaAs quantum dot under pulsed excitation with a calibrated single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) detector. For this purpose, a single excitonic line of the quantum dot emission with a bandwidth below 0.1 nm was spectrally filtered by using two tilted interference filters. Since high count rates are essential for many metrological applications, we optimized the setup efficiency by combining high overall transmission of the optical components with a geometrical enhancement of the extraction efficiency of a single quantum dot by a monolithic microlens to reach photon fluxes up to 3.7 ⋅ 10 5 photons per second at the SPADs. A relative calibration of two SPAD detectors with a relative standard uncertainty of 0.7% was carried out and verified by the standard calibration method using an attenuated laser. Finally, an Allan deviation analysis was performed giving an optimal averaging time of 92 s for the photon flux.
Abstract Single‐photon sources (SPSs) based on quantum emitters hold promise in quantum radiometry as metrology standard for photon fluxes at the low light level. Ideally this requires control over the photon flux in a wide dynamic range, sub‐Poissonian photon statistics, and narrow‐band emission spectrum. In this work, a monochromatic SPS based on an organic dye molecule is presented, whose photon flux is traceably measured to be adjustable between 144 000 and 1320 000 photons per second at a wavelength of (785.6 ± 0.1) nm, corresponding to an optical radiant flux between 36.5 and 334 fW. The high purity of the single‐photon stream is verified, with a second‐order autocorrelation function at zero time delay below 0.1 throughout the whole range. Such molecule‐based SPS is hence used for the calibration of a single‐photon avalanche detector against a low‐noise analog photodiode traceable to the primary standard for optical radiant flux (i.e., the cryogenic radiometer). Due to the narrow bandwidth of the source, corrections to the detector efficiency arising from the spectral power distribution are negligible. With this major advantage, the developed device may finally realize a low‐photon‐flux standard source for quantum radiometry.
Abstract Single-photon sources have a variety of applications. One of these is quantum radiometry, which is reported on in this paper in the form of an overview, specifically of the current state of the art in the application of deterministic single photon sources to the calibration of single photon detectors. To optimize single-photon sources for this purpose, extensive research is currently carried out at the European National Metrology Institutes (NMIs), in collaboration with partners from universities. Single-photon sources of different types are currently under investigation, including sources based on defect centres in (nano-)diamonds, on molecules and on semiconductor quantum dots. We will present, summarise, and compare the current results obtained at European NMIs for single-photon sources in terms of photon flux, single-photon purity, and spectral power distribution as well as the results of single-photon detector calibrations carried out with this type of light sources.
Abstract We present the metrological characterization of a single-photon source based on a germanium-vacancy center in diamond under a solid immersion lens in a confocal microscope setup at room temperature. It was characterized in terms of the emission’s spectral distribution, single-photon purity, temporal stability and the emitter’s excited state lifetime and saturation behavior. An Allan deviation analysis was performed on the emission of the single-photon source to determine the optimal averaging time of the photon flux. The single-photon source was used for the relative calibration of the detection efficiency of two single-photon avalanche diode detectors. The results were compared with measurements using attenuated laser light for the calibration of the detectors.
We report on the experimental realization of an absolute single-photon source based on a single nitrogen vacancy (NV) center in a nanodiamond at room temperature and on the calculation of its absolute spectral photon flux from experimental data. The single-photon source was calibrated with respect to its photon flux and its spectral photon rate density. The photon flux was measured with a low-noise silicon photodiode traceable to the primary standard for optical flux, taking into account the absolute spectral power distribution using a calibrated spectroradiometer. The optical radiant flux is adjustable from 55 fW, which is almost the lowest detection limit for the silicon photodiode, and 75 fW, which is the saturation power of the NV center. These fluxes correspond to total photon flux rates between 190,000 photons per second and 260,000 photons per second, respectively. The single-photon emission purity is indicated by a g((2))(0) value, which is between 0.10 and 0.23, depending on the excitation power. To our knowledge, this is the first single-photon source absolutely calibrated with respect to its absolute optical radiant flux and spectral power distribution, traceable to the corresponding national standards via an unbroken traceability chain. The prospects for its application, e.g., for the detection efficiency calibration of single-photon detectors as well as for use as a standard photon source in the low photon flux regime, are promising. (C) 2017 Optical Society of America