超短脉冲抽运下频率一致纠缠光源量子特性实验研究

利用自发参量下转换过程产生的频率纠缠光源在量子信息处理及相关领域中 具有十分重要的应用. 本文利用中心波长为792 nm, 脉冲宽度小于20 fs的脉冲激光源抽运满足II类准相位 匹配条件的周期极化磷酸氧钛钾晶体, 实验产生了偏振相互正交的频率一致纠缠光子对. 基于Hong-Ou-Mandel干涉仪的二阶量子符合干涉装置, 测量到该纠缠双光子对的干涉可见度约为42%, 表明其频率不可分特性较理想频率一致纠缠光源大大降低. 通过理论分析给出, 由于超短脉冲光源对应的宽频谱带宽影响, 相位匹配函数中的高阶色散项不再忽略, 从而导致纠缠光子对的频率不可分性减弱. 进一步利用实验参数给出的数值模拟结果与实验结果符合, 证实了脉冲抽运源带宽对频率一致纠缠光源的量子不可分特性的影响. 关键词： 频率一致纠缠 Hong-Ou-Mandel干涉测量 符合计数     

利用光纤中自发四波混频产生纠缠光子的实验装置

基于三阶非线性Kerr效应在光纤中产生非线性现象的理论,利用零色散位移光纤中的自发四波混频通过两种实验装置产生了纠缠光子：一种是采用脉冲光抽运由光纤构成的Sagnac光纤环;另一种是采用脉冲光直接抽运一段光纤.通过对不同装置下实验结果的比较,总结了产生高纯度纠缠光子所需的实验条件,并指出了两种装置各自的优缺点.这为研制适用于量子通信的全光纤纠缠光源和单光子源奠定了基础. 关键词： 纠缠光子 光纤 四波混频 量子通信     

基于Ⅱ类周期极化铌酸锂波导的通信波段小型化频率纠缠源产生及其量子特性测量

自发参量下转换过程制备的纠缠光源在量子光学及其相关领域有着广泛的应用.本文利用780 nm的分布式布拉格反射镜激光二极管抽运一块长10 mm的Ⅱ类准相位匹配的周期极化铌酸锂波导,产生了偏振正交的频率反关联纠缠光子对.通过实验结果与理论的完美结合得到,当进入波导的抽运光功率为44.9 mW时,下转换双光子对的产生速率为1.87×10~7s~(-1).利用单色仪对下转换光子的频谱进行分析,得到信号和闲置光子的中心波长分别为1561.43 nm和1561.45 nm,频谱宽度为3.62 nm和3.60 nm,双光子符合包络宽度约为3.18 nm,可以得到双光子的频率纠缠度为1.131.00,表征了双光子的频率纠缠特性.利用Hong-Ou-Mandel干涉仪测量双光子的二阶量子干涉特性,测得的干涉可见度为96.1%,干涉图谱的凹陷宽度为1.47 ps.     

脉冲光场作用下啁啾双光子量子特性研究

基于量子理论和非线性光学,研究了脉冲光场作用啁啾准相位匹配非线性晶体的第Ⅱ类自发参变下转换过程中,脉冲宽度和啁啾系数对产生的纠缠双光子特性及Hong-Ou-Mandel(HOM)量子干涉结果的影响。结果表明,啁啾系数一定时,随着脉冲宽度的增加,双光子谱的不可区分性降低,HOM量子干涉可见度下降。当脉冲宽度一定时,随着啁啾系数的增加使双光子谱带宽增加,HOM量子干涉陷落变窄,双光子谱的不可区分性增强,从而提高了相干精度和干涉可见度。理论上得到了超宽带的双光子谱和对应超窄的HOM量子干涉图。     

脉冲抽运光啁啾对全光纤量子关联光子对纯度的影响

信号与闲置光子波长均为1550 nm 通信波段的全光纤关联光子对源, 具有低成本以及可与现有光纤网络低损耗连接的特点. 进一步优化其纯度, 将有助于提高这种量子光源的实用化程度.当抽运脉冲光在光纤中传输时, 由于色散和Kerr非线性效应的影响, 会不可避免地引入啁啾. 本文利用脉冲激光抽运零色散位移光纤, 研究了抽运光啁啾对关联光子对纯度的影响. 结果表明, 通信波段小失谐关联光子对的纯度随啁啾的增大而下降. 若采用变换极限的锁模激光为抽运源, 将有助于抑制Raman散射对自发四波混频的影响, 提高光子对的纯度. 关键词： 关联光子对 光纤 自发四波混频 啁啾     

纠缠光子法绝对定标光电探测器量子效率的研究

为了应对国际上“坎德拉”新定义的动向,开展了利用纠缠光子法测量光电探测器量子效率的研究,并建立了测量装置。装置采用351.1 nm连续激光抽运BBO晶体产生纠缠光子场,然后通过双通道门控计数器组成的符合测量系统在702.2 nm和788.7 nm两个波长点对光电倍增管的量子效率进行了测量。同时对单光子脉冲信号获取、噪声抑制及提取、符合时间特性、偶然符合、暗背景计数和器件透过率等影响测量结果的关键因素进行了实验分析并给出了修正分量,最终在两个波长点量子效率测量不确定度小于0.7%。     

通信波长频率一致纠缠光源的频谱测量

本文利用光栅单色仪实现了对超短脉冲抽运周期极化磷酸氧钛钾晶体产生的通信波长频率一致纠缠光子源的频谱特性分析.测量到双光子的联合频谱呈正关联分布,为频率一致纠缠光源.信号光、闲置光中心波长分别为1574.4 nm和1574.9 nm,频谱宽度分别为35.3 nm和37.6 nm,双光子符合包络宽度约为3 nm.根据单光子频谱宽度与双光子符合包络宽度的比值可以得到双光子的频率纠缠参量R约为12,表征了信号光子与闲置光子之间具有较高的频率纠缠度.     

频率非简并第I类自发参量下转换纠缠光子对量子特性

理论研究了频率非简并第I类自发参量下转换过程中产生的纠缠光子对的量子特性,且与频率简并的情况做了对比.通过纠缠光子对的联合谱强度分析了纠缠光子对的光谱特性及纠缠特性;通过洪-区-曼德尔干涉仪和马赫-曾德尔干涉仪分析了纠缠光子对的量子干涉特性.结果表明:脉冲泵浦作用下,由于频率非兼并使得相位匹配函数不对称,导致两纠缠光子可区分,量子干涉可见度减小.随着泵浦脉冲频宽的增加,这种效应更加明显.连续激光泵浦时,相位匹配函数是对称的,得到最大的纠缠度和量子干涉可见度.该研究为频率非简并纠缠光子源在各种量子信息方案中的应用提供理论指导.     

基于色散位移光纤的高宣布式窄带单光子源

文章利用脉冲激光抽运色散位移光纤,通过自发四波混频过程产生的关联光子对,实验演示了一种光通讯波段的窄带宣布式单光子源. 实验测得-3 dB带宽为1.1 nm单光子场的二阶关联函数g⁽²⁾(0)=0.09±0.01,宣布效率可达0.5以上. 这种单光子源在量子通信中有潜在的应用前景. 关键词： 宣布式单光子 光纤 自发四波混频 量子通信     

用滤波片操控Hong-Ou-Mandel干涉的实验研究

基于Brańczyk的理论工作,考虑干涉滤波片的谱函数对干涉结果的影响,推导出更加普适的Hong-Ou-Mandel干涉符合概率公式,从而增加干涉实验的可操控性.用带宽不同的干涉滤波片系统研究了Hong-Ou-Mandel干涉现象,得到与理论预测相吻合的实验结果.实验数据和理论仿真均显示,通过使用不同带宽的干涉滤波片可以灵活调节干涉曲线,以获得较高的平台符合计数率和干涉可见度.实验中测得的干涉可见度均高于97%,最高达到99.9%,验证了实验方案的可靠性.研究结果对于同类的量子干涉实验也具有参考价值.     

门控下InGaAs/InP单光子探测器用于符合测量的时域滤波特性研究

基于砷化镓/磷化铟雪崩光电二极管(InGaAs/InP APD)的半导体单光子探测器因工作在通信波段,且具有体积小、成本低、操作方便等优势,在实用化量子通信技术中发挥了重要作用.为尽可能避免暗计数和后脉冲对单光子探测的影响,InGaAs/InP单光子探测器广泛采用门控技术来快速触发和淬灭雪崩效应,有效门宽通常在纳秒量级.本文研究揭示了门控下单光子探测器可测量的最大符合时间宽度受限于门控脉冲的宽度,理论分析与实验结果良好拟合.该研究表明,门控下InGaAs/InP单光子探测器用于双光子符合测量具有显著的时域滤波特性,限制了其在基于双光子时间关联测量的量子信息技术中的应用.     

基于马赫-曾德尔干涉仪的单个光子操控

分别利用空间和光纤马赫—曾德尔干涉仪对空间和光纤传输中的单个光子的干涉现象进行了研究,干涉对比度可达到90％以上,实现了空间和光纤中的单个光子的路由操控。实验采用脉冲调制加衰减的方法产生单个光子,获得了每个脉冲中只包含0．1个光子的准单光子源。通过改变压电换能器的电压控制马赫—曾德尔干涉仪的单个光子在两个输出端的选择,实现了光子在节点上的路由。采用同步符合检测技术,利用重复频率为1kHz,脉冲宽度为100ns的同步信号对输出信号进行符合,实现了量子效率高于70％,暗计数小于0．2s^-1的单光子高灵敏度检测,观测到了单个光子在相位操控下出射到两个输出端的有序分配现象。验证了基于马赫—曾德尔干涉仪的单个光子路由操控实现的可能性。     

Single photon frequency up-conversion and its applications

Optical frequency up-conversion is a technique, based on sum frequency generation in a non-linear optical medium, in which signal light from one frequency (wavelength) is converted to another frequency. By using this technique, near infrared light can be converted to light in the visible or near visible range and therefore detected by commercially available visible detectors with high efficiency and low noise. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has adapted the frequency up-conversion technique to develop highly efficient and sensitive single photon detectors and a spectrometer for use at telecommunication wavelengths. The NIST team used these single photon up-conversion detectors and spectrometer in a variety of pioneering research projects including the implementation of a quantum key distribution system; the demonstration of a detector with a temporal resolution beyond the jitter limitation of commercial single photon detectors; the characterization of an entangled photon pair source, including a direct spectrum measurement for photons generated in spontaneous parametric down-conversion; the characterization of single photons from quantum dots including the measurement of carrier lifetime with escalated high accuracy and the demonstration of the converted quantum dot photons preserving their non-classical features; the observation of 2nd, 3rd and 4th order temporal correlations of near infrared single photons from coherent and pseudo-thermal sources following frequency up-conversion; a study on the time-resolving measurement capability of the detectors using a short pulse pump and; evaluating the modulation of a single photon wave packet for better interfacing of independent sources. In this article, we will present an overview of the frequency up-conversion technique, introduce its applications in quantum information systems and discuss its unique features and prospects for the future.     

Generation of correlated photons in controlled spatial modes by downconversion in nonlinear waveguides

We report the observation of correlated photon pairs generated by spontaneous parametric downconversion of a 400-nm pump pulse in a quasi-phase-matched KTiOPO(4) nonlinear waveguide. The highest ratio of coincidence to single-photon count rates observed near 800 nm exceeds 18%. This suggests that nonlinear waveguides will be a promising source of correlated photons for metrology and quantum information processing applications. We also discuss possibilities of controlling the spatial characteristics of the downconverted photons produced in multimode waveguide structures.     

量子通信中单光子探测器的实验研究

为了提高单光子探测系统的灵敏度,实验采用InGaAs/InP雪崩光电二极管作为量子通信中的单光子探测器件,以门控脉冲模式实现了更高精度的单光子探测器的偏压生成电路、单光子信号放大电路、单光子信号检测电路和温度控制模块,并通过选用高精度前置放大器OP37和精密比较器AD8561,将量子效率提高到18.3%,暗计数控制小于4.1%×10~(-6)/ns.     

基于光子晶体光纤的高纯度量子关联光子对的制备

使用脉冲光在室温下抽运一根长1 m 的高非线性光子晶体光纤, 产生了中心波长分别位于830 nm 和1411 nm的具有量子关联性的闲频与信号光子. 实验中闲频和信号通道的带宽分别是15 nm和35 nm. 对单通道光子计数率的拟合结果显示光子几乎全部来源于光纤中的自发四波混频过程, 未受到Raman散射噪声的影响. 当闲频和信号通道的光子产生率约为每脉冲0.0085个时, 测得符合计数率与随机符合计数率的比值为102, 接近理论极限, 不仅证明了光子对的低噪声性, 而且表明所产生的光子对本身具有窄带频谱特性, 因而实验中对其收集效率很高. 此外, 这种高纯度关联光子对还联接了不同波段, 在量子信息技术中有着潜在的应用.     

Detection and spectral measurement of single photons in communication bands using up-conversion technology

Quantum information systems are commonly operated in conventional communication bands (1310 and 1550 nm) over an optical fiber to take advantage of low transmission loss. However, the detection and spectral measurement of single photons in these communication bands are limited due to high noise and low sensitivity of single photon detectors in the wavelength ranges. To demonstrate high efficiency detection and high sensitivity spectral measurement, we have implemented a single photon detector and a spectrometer based on frequency up-conversion technology. This detector and spectrometer uses a 5-cm periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguide and a tunable pump laser around 1550 nm, to convert signal photons around 1310 to 710 nm. The converted photons are then detected by a silicon-based avalanche photodiode (APD). The overall detection efficiency of the single photon detector is as high as 32%, which is three times higher than commercial InGaAs APDs. The sensitivity of the spectrometer is measured to be −126 dBm, which is at least three orders-of-magnitude better than any commercial optical spectrum analyzer in this wavelength range.     

On the distribution of 1550-nm photon pairs efficiently generated using a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide

We report on efficient generation of 1550-nm photon pairs in a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide using the spontaneous parametric down-conversion process. Such photon pairs are expected to find applications in fiber-based long-distance quantum communication. Pumping the waveguide with a pulsed semiconductor laser with a pulse rate of 800 kHz and a maximum average pump power of 50 μW, we obtain a coincidence rate of 600 s⁻¹. Despite only two single-photon detectors are used, we gain some information about the photon-number distribution. Our measurements are found to be in agreement with a Poissonian photon-pair distribution, but clearly differ from the expected outcomes for both conventional and two-mode squeezed states, the latter corresponding to a thermal photon-pair distribution. The Poissonian photon-pair distribution is also explained by comparing the coherence time of the pump light and of the detected photons. An average of 0.9 generated photon pairs per pulse can thus be inferred.