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Single photon counting from individual nanocrystals in the infrared
Raoul E Correa1, Eric A Dauler, Gautham Nair
1Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States.
Nano Letters
|May 26, 2012
Summary
Researchers observed single nanocrystal photoluminescence in the shortwave-infrared (SWIR) spectrum using a novel superconducting nanowire detector. This breakthrough enables advanced photon correlation experiments on weak SWIR emitters at room temperature.
Area of Science:
- Quantum optics
- Materials science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Detection of shortwave-infrared (SWIR) photons is challenging.
- Existing methods limit single-molecule studies in SWIR-active materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To overcome experimental limitations in SWIR photon detection.
- To enable single-emitter studies for materials with SWIR optical activity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a highly efficient multielement superconducting nanowire single photon detector.
- Observed room-temperature photoluminescence from single lead sulfide nanocrystals.
Main Results:
- Successfully detected single nanocrystal photoluminescence at SWIR wavelengths.
- Confirmed strong photon antibunching from individual nanocrystals.
- Demonstrated feasibility of photon correlation experiments on weak SWIR emitters.
Conclusions:
- The developed detector enables sophisticated measurements on SWIR quantum systems.
- Paves the way for studying infrared quantum systems previously incompatible with detection techniques.
