共线和非共线模式下单光子探测器定标比对实验研究

采用相关光子法定标单光子探测器的量子效率对提高光学载荷的辐射定标准确度具有重要意义.利用355nm连续激光泵浦BBO晶体产生Ⅰ类自发参量下转换,在共线和非共线两种相位匹配模式下分别测量了单光子探测器雪崩光电二极管在736nm波段的量子效率.结果表明,共线和非共线两种模式测量结果的合成不确定度分别为0.71%和0.39%,相对偏差均优于0.4%,这两种模式都可以定标探测器量子效率,且具有很好的一致性.最后比较了两种模式定标探测器量子效率的优缺点,该研究为以后利用相关光子法对遥感器进行辐射定标提供了晶体相位匹配模式选择的依据.     

碲镉汞模拟探测器量子效率定标方法

为测量红外模拟探测器量子效率,搭建了基于参量下转换效应的测量系统.利用光学参量振荡器调谐输出的2 576.5nm波长连续激光束作为泵浦源、ZnGeP2晶体作为非线性晶体,获取了3.42μm和10.4μm的相关光子对.实验中通过将采集到的两个通道的光电流/电压信号转换为等效光子计数,并利用两光路平衡测量的方法对每个模式的平均光子计数进行校正,实现了碲镉汞红外模拟探测器在10.4μm处的绝对功率响应度定标,得到了相对合成不确定度优于4.53%的定标结果.     

基于相关光子多模式相关性的InSb模拟探测器定标方法

利用基于参量下转换产生的相关光子可以实现“无溯源”的绝对定标. 将该方法推广应用于模拟探测器定标的过程中, 获取两路模拟光电流信号的有效相关信息是主要难点. 在相关光子的多模式相关性理论模型的基础上, 提出了一种新的光电流处理方案. 通过将某一时刻采集到的光电流所包含的电荷量转换为等效光子计数, 采用双光路平衡探测和双通道数据波动校正的技术思路, 开展了红外模拟探测器量子效率定标验证实验研究. 利用532 nm单波长激光器为抽运源、PPLN晶体为非线性晶体, 在25 ℃工作温度下获取了631和3390 nm的相关光子对, 定标了InSb红外模拟探测器在3390 nm处的绝对功率响应度. 结果表明, 对InSb模拟探测器的合成不确定度为7.785%. 根据量子效率与绝对功率响应度之间的函数关系, 定标结果与国内计量单位的校准结果的相对偏差为3.6%. 利用多模式相关性在模拟信号下实现红外模拟探测器的绝对功率响应度定标在国际上暂无此方面的报道, 该方法验证了应用多模式相关性理论开展模拟探测器定标方法的可行性, 对于探索基于相关光子的定标技术和拓宽辐射定标应用领域具有重要意义.     

多波段相关光子光谱分布与时间相关性测量实验研究

基于相关光子的定标技术能够实现“无标准传递”绝对定标,研究相关光子的光谱辐射特性及时间相关特性对遥感器在宽波段的辐射定标具有重要意义。为满足光电探测器在宽谱段量子效率定标需求,基于相关光子的定标技术有必要从单一波段向更多波段扩展。根据自发参量下转换所满足的相位匹配条件,推导出相关光子在晶体内的非共线角计算公式,通过数值模拟相关光子光谱辐射角度分布规律,优化晶体相位匹配角,使得自发参量下转换产生的相关光子具有宽光谱分布,并且相关光子辐射角度与光谱波长能够一一对应。根据光谱分布数值模拟结果,建立了多波段相关光子的光谱分布和时间相关性测量实验系统,利用该系统测量了四对相关光子的光谱分布、符合计数、相关时间以及偏振特性。其中,测量的光谱分布范围为633~808 nm,最大光谱分布测量偏差为1.51 mm,光谱分布实验测量结果与数值模拟结果符合一致;测量了四对相关光子对的相关时间,最小相关时间为0.32 ns,并在实验中观察到了“符合三峰”现象;相关光子单光子计数及符合计数与泵浦光的偏振方向呈正弦函数关系。实验研究表明,相关光子对具有可见光~近红外宽波段分布、时间相关及偏振特性。论文研究结果在国内外尚属首次报道,该研究结果有望应用于光电探测器在多波段的辐射定标。     

Ⅰ类自发参量下转换相关光子圆环的时间相关特性研究

基于自发参量下转换产生相关光子的定标方法具有基于客观物理效应、无需溯源的优点,有望成为未来光辐射定标技术发展的新趋势.目前利用该技术定标光子计数型探测器的最低不确定度为0.18%,仍有进一步提高定标精度的潜力.由于相关光子圆环具有高光子速率特性,能够显著提高定标过程中信号光和空闲光的光子速率.为了提高该方法定标精度及利用相关光子定标模拟探测器,研究相关光子圆环的时间相关特性具有非常重要的意义.本文理论计算了Ⅰ类自发参量下转换产生的宽谱段相关光子圆环出射角度的空间分布,使用ZEMAX光学设计软件设计了用于接收宽谱段(450—1000 nm)相关光子圆环并能够滤除抽运光的光学系统,利用微光相机拍摄到了光学系统接收的430—860 nm波段的相关光子圆环;搭建了双通道相关光子圆环时间相关特性测量系统,观测到了1 m W连续激光器抽运非线性晶体产生的685 nm和736.89 nm波段相关光子圆环对具有明显的符合峰现象,从实验上验证了Ⅰ类自发参量下转换产生的相关光子圆环具有时间相关特性.     

利用关联光子对多波段标定单光子探测器效率

利用光子晶体光纤中产生的一对波长可分别在750 nm～880 nm和1310 nm～1620 nm范围内连续调谐的量子关联光子,对一台待测单光子探测器在覆盖O,C和L三个通信波段的多个选定波长处进行了量子效率的标定测量。该方法可用于在这三个波段内任意波长处绝对标定单光子探测器的量子效率。     

自发参量下转换双光子场绝对校准光电探测器的方法研究

讨论了一种基于自发参量下转换双光子场绝对校准光电探测器灵敏度的新方法,着重推导了对自发参量下转换过程中产生的单光子的探测概率和双光子的符合速率,从而阐明了绝对测量光电探测器量子效率的原理.基于这一方法对光子计数型光电倍增管的响应灵敏度进行了测量,并将实验结果与常规方法测得的结果进行了比较. 关键词：     

基于参变下转换效应的光辐射定标方法

介绍了一种新型的基于参变下转换效应的光辐射绝对定标方法,利用固体钛宝石激光器倍频后产生的351 nm的激光光源抽运非线性BBO晶体,制备了一对简并的参变下转换光子对(波长为702 nm),并利用晶体的角度调谐特性,制备了另一对非简并的参变下转换光子对(波长为633 nm和789 nm).定标了光电倍增管的量子效率,介绍了实验原理和定标装置,系统分析了测量过程中引入的不确定度.结果表明,参变下转换效应光辐射定标方法的相对合成不确定度小于5.5%.参变下转换定标方法与传统的基于标准探测器的辐射定标方法作了一个比对,表明两种定标方法相对误差小于10%.     

泵浦光的入射角对参量下转换的影响

利用参量下转换制备相关光子实现对各类探测器的量子效率的定标,是近年来兴起的新型定标技术。由于参量下转换的光子转换效率低,探测器输出信号信噪比小。采用短波激光器泵浦PPLN周期极化性晶体,可获得较大功率的参量光。分析了泵浦光在PPLN晶体端面的入射角对参量光的转换效率、空间分布、参量带宽及晶体周期的影响,并进行了数值模拟。分析发现当泵浦光正入射晶体端面时,参量光功率转换大,带宽小,发散角大;随着泵浦光入射角度逐渐增大,参量下转换的转换效率降低,相关光子的带宽变小,发散角变小且参量光的中心波长的空间位置会发生相对偏移。该研究结果可为相关光子探测、模拟探测器量子效率的高精度定标提供理论依据。     

自发参量下转换过程光场分布

单光子的产生与测量在量子物理、量子信息研究中都有非常重要的意义.本文利用中心波长为850nm的飞秒脉冲二次谐波425 nm泵浦I类非共线相位匹配BBO晶体,获得非共线简并自发参量下转换(SPDC)光.实验测量了下转换光的空间分布、光子数分布和符合计数率.并进一步通过符合计数方法测量了获得单光子的几率.     

Preparation and tomographic reconstruction of an arbitrary single-photon path qubit

We report methods for preparation and tomographic reconstruction of an arbitrary single-photon path qubit. The arbitrary single-photon path qubit is prepared losslessly by passing the heralded single-photon state from spontaneous parametric down-conversion through variable beam splitter. Quantum state tomography of the single-photon path qubit is implemented by introducing path-projection measurements based on the first-order single-photon quantum interference. Using the state preparation and path-projection measurements methods for the single-photon path qubit, we demonstrate preparation and complete tomographic reconstruction of the single-photon path qubit with arbitrary purity.     

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.     

Absolute self-calibration of the quantum efficiency of single-photon detectors

Single-photon detectors are finding increasingly wide application in all branches of science and technology thus a precise knowledge of their quantum efficiency is an essential prerequisite. We have performed the first proof-of-principle demonstration of a means to determine the quantum efficiency by which no second detector or reference standard is required. This absolute self-calibration method is based on the time correlation of entangled photons pairs emitted in spontaneous parametric down conversion. The measured quantum efficiency of a Si avalanche photodiode single-photon detector agrees well with the product specifications.     

Research in absolute calibration of single photon detectors by means of correlated photons

There are two general methods in radiometric calibration of detectors, one is based on radiation sources and the other based on detectors. Because the two methods need to establish a primary standard of high precision and a transfer chain, precision of the standard will be reduced by extension of the chain. A new calibration method of detectors can be realized by using correlated photons generated in spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) effect of nonlinear crystal, without needing transfer chain. Using 351.1-nm output of a tunable laser to pump β-barium borate (BBO) crystal, an absolute calibration experimental system of single photon detectors based on correlated photons is performed. The quantum efficiency of photomultiplier (PMT) at 702.2 nm is measured by the setup. Advantages of this method over traditional methods are also pointed out by comparison.     

Efficient conditional preparation of high-fidelity single photon states for fiber-optic quantum networks

Highly correlated photons or, accordingly, high-fidelity single-photon states are a prerequisite for closing detection loopholes in experimental tests of local realism and implementing scalable linear optical quantum computation. We demonstrate a parametric down-conversion source exhibiting a conditional detection efficiency of 51% (with corresponding preparation efficiency of 85%) and extraordinarily high detection rates of up to 8.5 x 10(5) coincidences/(s mW). We exploit a novel type-II phase matching configuration in a microstructured waveguide in conjunction with an ultrashort pump.     

Quantum efficiency calibration of opto-electronic detector by means of correlated photons method

A new calibration method of detectors can be realized by using correlated photons generated in spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) effect of nonlinear crystal.An absolute calibration system of detector quantum efficiency is performed.And its principle and experimental setup are introduced.A continuouswave (CW) ultraviolet (351 nm),diode-pumped,frequency-doubled,and solid-state laser is used to pump BBO crystal.The quantum efficiencies of the photomultiplier at 633,702,and 789 nm are measured respectively.The coincidence peaks are observed using coincidence circuit.Some measurement factors including the filter bandwidth of trigger channel,the detector position alignment and polarization of the pump light are analyzed.The uncertainties of this calibration method are also analyzed,and the relative uncertainties of total calibration are less than 5.8%.The accuracy of this method could be improved in the future.     

Evaluation of polarization entanglement generated by pulsed spontaneous parametric down-conversion with multi-pairs using four single-photon detectors for quantum state tomography

Quantum state tomography (QST) is widely used to evaluate entanglement generated by spontaneous parametric down-conversion. Two-fold coincidence counts for 16 different configurations have been measured using single-photon detectors to estimate the fidelity (i.e., the probability overlap between ideal and real states) from the reconstructed density matrix. However, multi-pair emission events degrade the fidelity. Here, we numerically analyze pulse-pumped polarization-entangled photon pairs for single-photon detectors that can or cannot count the number of incident photons to estimate the fidelity given by QST. Threshold single-photon detectors are desirable for QST from a practical point of view. Our analysis suggests that using four threshold single-photon detectors for two-fold coincidence measurements offers almost the same fidelity as that given by four photon-number-resolving single-photon detectors. The fidelity estimated by QST becomes poor and loss independent when two threshold single-photon detectors are used.     

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.