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Title: High-efficiency single-photon detectors

Journal Article · · Physical Review A; (United States)
; ;  [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 (United States)
  2. Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 (United States)
  3. Rockwell International Corporation Science Center, 3370 Miraloma Avenue, Anaheim, California 92803 (United States)

Using correlated photon pairs produced via spontaneous parametric down-conversion, we have measured the absolute single-photon detection efficiencies and time responses of four detectors: two solid-state photomultipliers (SSPM's) manufactured by Rockwell International Corp., and two custom-modified single-photon counting modules (SSPM's) manufactured by EG G, Canada. The highest observed efficiencies were 70.9[plus minus]1.9% (with an SSPM, at a wavelength of 632 nm) and 76.4[plus minus]2.3% (with an SPCM, at 702 nm). We believe these to be the highest reported single-photon detection efficiencies in the visible spectrum; they are important for quantum cryptography and loophole-free tests of Bell's inequalities, as well as more prosaic applications such as photon correlation spectroscopy and velocimetry. We found that the time profile for coincidences between the SSPM and the SPCM consisted of a main peak with a 3.5-ns full width at half maximum (FWHM) preceded by a smaller peak by 11 ns. A similar time profile between two SPCM's displayed only one peak, with a 300-ps FWHM. Afterpulses were detected in the SPCM's at a level of less than 10[sup [minus]4] of the counting rate, with an exponential decay time constant of 4.5 [mu]s.

DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098
OSTI ID:
7368946
Journal Information:
Physical Review A; (United States), Vol. 48:2; ISSN 1050-2947
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English