Absolute calibration of single-photon and multiplexed photon-number-resolving detectors

Abstract

Single-photon detectors are widely used in modern quantum optics experiments and applications. Like all detectors, it is important for these devices to be accurately calibrated. A single-photon detector is calibrated by determining its detection efficiency; the standard method to measure this quantity requires comparison to another detector. Here, we suggest a method to measure the detection efficiency of a single photon detector without requiring an external reference detector. Our method is valid for individual single-photon detectors as well as multiplexed detectors, which are known to be photon number resolving. The method exploits the photon-number correlations of a nonlinear source, as well as the nonlinear loss of a single photon detector that occurs when multiple photons are detected simultaneously. We have analytically modeled multiplexed detectors and used the results to experimentally demonstrate calibration of a single photon detector without the need for an external reference detector.

Metrology Perspective of Single‐Photon Detectors: Review on Global Calibration Methods

“…This led to the emergence of a technique that determines the detection efficiency by a single count, as shown in Figure . [ 91 ]…”

“…The quantum efficiency reported with this method for SMSV was 7.4% and 11.3%, whereas for TMSV it was 12.7% and 17.4%, respectively. [ 91 ]…”

Proposal for a quantum random number generator using coherent light an a non-classical observable

“…The average number of photons per pulse was controlled with calibrated neutral density filters. In a recent paper, Cohen et al [26] have discussed calibration of single-photon and multiplexed photon-number-resolving detectors, the latter using a cascade of beam splitters with single-photon detectors as in the experiment discussed in Ref. [24].…”

Counting Statistics of Actively Quenched SPADs Under Continuous Illumination

“…The SPAD exhibits several properties that are most relevant in photon counting applications: detection efficiency, recovery time, dark counts, afterpulsing, and reset effects [1]. Efficiency is the probability of registering a detection if a single photon is incident on the SPAD [13], [14]. Dark counts are detections occurring in the absence of light and commonly arise from spontaneous thermal excitation or tunneling of charge carriers inside the SPAD [15], [16].…”