August 2008 EEEL Sets Record for Detection Efficiency with Single Photon Detectors |
Researchers in the Optoelectronics Division of EEEL have demonstrated a record-high system detection efficiency of 95 ± 2 % in counting single photons in the near-infrared wavelength region. Adriana Lita, Sae Woo Nam, and Aaron Miller (guest researcher from Albion College) designed, fabricated, and evaluated fiber-coupled, superconducting transition-edge sensors (TESs) optimized for absorption at the telecommunication band wavelengths of 1550 nm and 1310 nm. TESs are capable of detecting visible and near-infrared light at the single-photon level and also demonstrate photon-number resolution; i.e. discrimination between one and two-photon (and higher) absorption events. Single-photon detectors with high detection efficiency, photon-number-resolving capability, and very low noise are required for many applications in quantum information, including photon source and detector calibration, long-distance quantum key distribution, photon-based quantum computing, and n-photon state quantum optics experiments. For more information contact: Sae Woo Nam, phone 303-497-3148 |