Work

Quantum jump photodetector for narrowband photon counting with a single atom

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Using a single neutral Rb 87 atom held in an optical trap, and “quantum jump” detection of single-photon-initiated state changes, we demonstrate a single-photon quantum jump photodetector (QJPD) with intrinsically narrow bandwidth and strong rejection of out-of-band photons, of interest for detecting weak optical signals in the presence of a strong broadband background. By analyzing fluorescence photon count distributions for the bright and dark states with and without excitation, we measure quantum efficiency of 2.9 ( 2 ) × 10 − 3 , a record for single-pass quantum jump production, and signal-photon-unprovoked “dark jump” rate—analogous to the dark count rate of other detectors —of 3 ( 10 ) × 10 − 3 jumps / s during passive accumulation plus 4.0 ( 4 ) × 10 − 3 jumps per readout, orders of magnitude below those of traditional single-photon detectors. Available methods can substantially improve QJPD quantum efficiency, dark jump rate, bandwidth, and tunability. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Source: Physical Review Research

DOI: 10.1103/physrevresearch.6.033338

Authors: Laura Zarraoa, Romain Veyron, Tomas Lamich, Lorena C. Bianchet, Morgan W. Mitchell

Institutions: Institute of Photonic Sciences, Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats

Language: English

Topic: Quantum optics and atomic interactions

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,625