Spectral characterization of single photon sources with ultra-high resolution, accuracy and sensitivity

Published

February 20, 2017

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.

Citation

Optics Express

Volume

25

Issue

23

Pub Type

Journals

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DOI Link

Keywords

spectrum measurement, quantum communication, single photon source, quantum memory, electromagnetic introduced transparency.

Citation

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 14, 2025)