A Review Article About Single Photon Upconversion Technology Published in Physics Reports

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A Review Article About Single Photon Up-Conversion Technology is Published in 'Physics Reports'

Physics Reports journal published a review article, entitled "Single photon frequency up-conversion and its applications" in October 2012. This paper summarizes the related pioneering research performed by our team in recent years and introduces its applications in quantum information, measurement science and other advanced research areas.

The novel frequency up-conversion detection technique converts weak light at single photon power levels from a difficult to detect frequency (Infrared or Near Infrared) to a visible range that can be detected more efficiently and with very low noise using standard commercial detectors. This technology was used to implement an ultra-sensitive up-conversion spectrometer which can measure the spectra of single-photon signals at the elusive Infrared and near Infrared wavelengths. The sensitivity was demonstrated to be three orders of magnitude better than any current commercial spectral instrumentation in the wavelength range.

The article introduces many important applications based on the technology. For example, that this technology can be used in quantum key distribution (QKD) systems for long distance secure communication and can be used to analyses spectral properties of entangled photon pair sources in the infrared wavelength range. The article describes a new technique to increase the system data rate in secure quantum communications based on a multi frequency pumped upconversion scheme. The observation of high-order temporal correlations of near-infrared single photons by the upconversion is included in the article. It also describes how the technology is used to characterize and compare varieties of single photon source, such as quantum dots. A key advantage of this technology is that despite the conversion of single photons from one frequency to another, important quantum signatures are preserved. This unique feature leads to more important applications in quantum information science, such that it is possible to perform photon wave packet engineering for a better coupling and interfacing with independent sources, which is a foundation of future quantum networks.

Physics Reports is a prestigious journal with very high impact factor in the field of physics. This article published in Physics Reports increases the NIST impact for the global leadership in measurement science, specifically in ultrasensitive detection and spectrum measurement of photons in telecommunication bands as a foundation for emerging technologies. The ITL Quantum Communications team continues to achieve success in this important emerging field. For more information, please see the article at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0370157312002384

CONTACT: Xiao Tang (ITL), ext. 2503