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High-efficiency, ultra low-noise all-fiber photon-pair source
Shellee D Dyer1, Martin J Stevens, Burm Baek
1National Institute of Standards and Technology, Optoelectronics Division, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305, USA. sdyer@boulder.nist.gov
Optics Express
|June 26, 2008
Summary
We developed an all-fiber photon-pair source with a record high coincidence-to-accidental ratio (CAR) in the telecom C-band. This breakthrough minimizes background noise, significantly improving quantum communication potential.
Area of Science:
- Quantum optics
- Fiber optics
- Photonics
Background:
- High-quality photon-pair sources are crucial for quantum communication technologies.
- Existing fiber-based sources in the C-band suffer from limited coincidence-to-accidental ratios (CAR) due to background noise.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate an all-fiber photon-pair source with the highest CAR in the fiber-optic telecom C-band.
- To identify and mitigate sources of background photons limiting CAR in fiber systems.
Main Methods:
- Optimized pair-production efficiency.
- Characterized and minimized background photon sources, including Raman scattering and pump leakage.
- Cooled the nonlinear fiber to 4 K to suppress Raman generation.
- Implemented careful system design to reduce noise.
Main Results:
- Achieved a CAR of 1300 at a pair generation rate of 2 kHz.
- This CAR is 12 times higher than previously reported results in the C-band.
- Experimental data showed strong agreement with theoretical predictions.
Conclusions:
- The developed all-fiber source offers unprecedented CAR in the C-band.
- This advancement significantly enhances the feasibility of fiber-based quantum communication systems.
- The methods used provide a pathway for further improvements in quantum light source performance.
