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Spectral characterization of single photon sources with ultra-high resolution, accuracy and sensitivity
Published
Author(s)
Lijun Ma, Oliver T. Slattery, Xiao Tang
Abstract
In future quantum communication systems, single photons, as the information carriers, are required to possess very narrow linewidth and accurate wavelength for an efficient interaction with quantum memories. Spectral characterization of such single photon sources is necessary and must be performed at very high spectral resolution, wavelength accuracy and detection sensitivity. In this paper, we propose a method to precisely characterize spectral properties of narrow-linewidth single-photon sources using an atomic vapor cell based on electromagnetically-induced transparency (EIT). By using a cesium atomic vapor cell, we have experimentally demonstrated a spectral resolution of better than 150 kHz, an absolute wavelength accuracy of within 50 kHz and an exceptional detection sensitivity good for optical signals as weak as -117 dBm.
Ma, L.
, Slattery, O.
and Tang, X.
(2017),
Spectral characterization of single photon sources with ultra-high resolution, accuracy and sensitivity, Optics Express, [online], https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.25.028898
(Accessed October 7, 2025)