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Gold nanoparticle surface deposition induced quantum efficiency enhancement for Si-multi-pixel photon counters
Xiaomeng Wang1, Min Song, Yan Liang
1State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.
Optics Express
|March 14, 2013
Summary
Gold nanoparticles enhance multi-pixel photon counter efficiency via surface plasmon resonance. This boosts quantum detection efficiency without compromising photon-number-resolving capabilities, guiding future detector development.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Nanotechnology
- Quantum Optics
Background:
- Advancements in nanotechnology enable novel nanostructured devices for improved photodetector performance.
- Multi-pixel photon counters (MPPCs) are crucial for detecting single photons and resolving photon numbers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of gold nanoparticle (AuNP) surface decoration on the quantum detection efficiency (QDE) of MPPCs.
- To determine if AuNP deposition preserves the photon-number-resolving (PNR) capability of MPPCs.
Main Methods:
- Surface decoration of the active area of an MPPC with gold nanoparticles.
- Measurement of MPPC quantum detection efficiency before and after AuNP deposition.
- Analysis of the enhancement factor across different photon-number fields.
Main Results:
- Surface decoration with gold nanoparticles significantly increased the quantum detection efficiency of the MPPC.
- The enhancement factor provided by AuNPs was consistent across various photon-number fields.
- The photon-number-resolving capability of the MPPC was well-preserved after AuNP deposition.
Conclusions:
- Gold nanoparticle surface decoration is an effective strategy to enhance MPPC quantum detection efficiency.
- AuNP-enhanced MPPCs maintain their photon-number-resolving capability, offering a pathway to high-performance detectors.
- This approach provides valuable guidance for developing next-generation, high-efficiency photon-number-resolving detectors.
