High quantum-efficiency photon-number-resolving detector for photonic on-chip information processing

Published

September 18, 2013

Author(s)

Brice R. Calkins, Paolo L. Mennea, Adriana E. Lita, Benjamin Metcalf, Steven Kolthammer, Antia A. Lamas-Linares, Justin Spring, Peter C. Humphreys, Richard P. Mirin, James Gates, Peter Smith, Ian Walmsley, Thomas Gerrits, Sae Woo Nam

Abstract

The integrated optical circuit is a promising architecture for the realization of complex quantum optical states and information networks. One element that is required for many of these applications is a high-efficiency photon detector capable of photon-number discrimination. We present an integrated photonic system in the telecom band at 1550 nm based on UV-written silica-on-silicon waveguides and modified transition-edge sensors capable of number resolution and over 40% efficiency. Exploiting the mode transmission failure of these devices, we multiplex three detectors in series to demonstrate a combined 79% {plus or minus} 2% detection efficiency with a single pass, and 88% {plus or minus} 3% at the operating wavelength of an on-chip terminal reflection grating. Furthermore, our optical measurements clearly demonstrate no significant unexplained loss in this system due to scattering or reflections. This waveguide and detector design therefore allows the placement of number-resolving single-photon detectors of predictable efficiency at arbitrary locations within a photonic circuit - a capability that offers great potential for many quantum optical applications.

Citation

Optics Express

Volume

21

Issue

19

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.21.022657

Keywords

quantum information, on-chip detection, superconducting single photon detector

Citation

Calkins, B. , Mennea, P. , Lita, A. , Metcalf, B. , Kolthammer, S. , Lamas-Linares, A. , Spring, J. , Humphreys, P. , Mirin, R. , Gates, J. , Smith, P. , Walmsley, I. , Gerrits, T. and Nam, S. (2013), High quantum-efficiency photon-number-resolving detector for photonic on-chip information processing, Optics Express, [online], https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.21.022657 (Accessed October 9, 2025)