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A Photonic System for Generating Unconditional Polarization-Entangled Photons Based on Multiple Quantum Interference
Published on: September 5, 2019
Superconducting single-photon counting system for optical experiments requiring time-resolution in the picosecond
Julia Toussaint1, Roman Grüner, Marco Schubert
1Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT) Jena, Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, 07745 Jena, Germany. julia.toussaint@ipht-jena.de
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|January 3, 2013
Summary
A new cryogenic measurement system achieves 35 ps time resolution for single-photon counting. This advanced system, using superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors, enhances picosecond-range optical experiments.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Optical Science
- Materials Science
Background:
- High time resolution is crucial for advanced optical experiments.
- Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors offer excellent sensitivity and speed.
- Existing systems may have limitations in temporal stability and resolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a cryogenic measurement system for picosecond-range single-photon counting.
- To integrate niobium nitride superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors into a time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) setup.
- To evaluate the system's performance and temporal resolution.
Main Methods:
- Detailed description of the mechanical design, electrical setup, and cryogenic optical components.
- Integration of niobium nitride superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors.
- Benchmarking using ultrashort laser pulses (140 fs) at 75 MHz repetition frequency.
- Cross-validation in a Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) setup.
Main Results:
- The developed cryogenic system achieves a time resolution of 35 ps (Full Width at Half Maximum).
- The system's temporal stability is high, with resolution limited by timing jitter.
- Performance was confirmed in both TCSPC mode and a CARS setup.
Conclusions:
- The cryogenic measurement system provides high time resolution for demanding optical applications.
- The use of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors is effective for picosecond-level timing.
- The system demonstrates robust performance across different optical measurement techniques.
