Advances in Mid-Infrared Single-Photon Detection

Abstract

The current state of the art of single-photon detectors operating in the mid-infrared wavelength range is reported in this review. These devices are essential for a wide range of applications, such as mid-infrared quantum communications, sensing, and metrology, which require detectors with high detection efficiency, low dark count rates, and low dead times. The technological challenge of moving from the well-performing and commercially available near-infrared single-photon detectors to mid-infrared detection is discussed. Different approaches are explored, spanning from the stoichiometric or geometric engineering of a large variety of materials for infrared applications to the exploitation of alternative novel materials and the implementation of proper detection schemes. The three most promising solutions are described in detail: superconductive nanowires, avalanche photodiodes, and photovoltaic detectors.

Attosecond-Level Delay Sensing via Temporal Quantum Erasing

“…Over time, thanks to technology advancements [ 10 , 11 ] in single photon detection [ 12 , 13 ], light engineering [ 14 , 15 , 16 ], and innovative schemes [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ], HOM-based interferometry has seen a constant improvement in its performance, broadening even further the horizons of its applications.…”

Mid-infrared spectrally-pure single-photon states generation from 22 nonlinear optical crystals

“…Recent work shows that superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPD) which have the best performance (98%) in the NIR band [69], while having a detection efficiency at MIR band of 70% at 2 µm [70], 40% at 2.5 µm and 10% at 3 µm [71], 1.64% for free-space communication [30]; upconversion detectors module combine with SAPD method demonstrates the efficiency of 6.5% in room temperature [14]; semiconductor photodiodes likes Cd admixture, graphene, black arsenic phosphorus, black phosphorus carbide, tellurene, PtSe 2 and PdSe 2 are good candidates for wide detection range [72]. See a recent review about MIR single-Photon detection in [73]. In the future, developing new material for SNSPD and a more effective nonlinear process of upconversion for MIR detection will be promising.…”

Mid-infrared Spectrally Pure Single-Photon States Generation from 22 Nonlinear Optical Crystals

“…best performance (98%) in the NIR band [71], while having a detection efciency at MIR band of 70% at 2 μm [72], 40% at 2.5 μm and 10% at 3 μm [73], and 1.64% for free-space communication [30]; upconversion detectors module combined with the SAPD method demonstrates the efciency of 6.5% at room temperature [14]; semiconductor photodiodes such as Cd admixture, graphene, black arsenic phosphorus, black phosphorus carbide, tellurene, PtSe 2 , and PdSe 2 are good candidates for wide detection range [74]. A recent review about MIR single-photon detection is presented in [75]. In the future, developing new material for SNSPD and a more efective nonlinear process of upconversion for MIR detection will be promising [76].…”