Single Photon Detection via Deflection Means
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current single photon detectors face limitations in temporal resolving power due to dead time and timing jitter, which restrict the maximum achievable photon pulse repetition rate and detection efficiency in quantum optical applications like quantum computing and quantum communication.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a detector array with multiple single photon detectors and a deflection means, such as electro-optical or acousto-optic modulators, to route single photons to ready detectors, thereby avoiding dead time and reducing timing jitter, using voltage-dependent refraction or acoustic frequency-dependent diffraction to control the routing of photons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the dead time of a single photon detector is reduced by modifying its electronic behavior, then the recovery time is improved, but the afterpulsing probability increases and quantum efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides a single detector into multiple parallel detectors (detector array with at least two detectors). By segmenting the detection function across multiple independent detectors, the system can route photons to different detectors at different times, avoiding the dead time limitation of individual detectors while maintaining high quantum efficiency through parallel operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a deflection means as an intermediary component between the photon source and the detector array. This deflection means actively routes incoming photons to specific detectors based on their readiness state, mediating between the photon stream and detectors to optimize detection timing and avoid dead time periods.
2Measurement precision
If the photon sensitive area of the detector is reduced to reduce timing jitter, then the temporal resolution is improved, but the detection efficiency decreases due to coupling problems
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the detection function across multiple detectors, each with optimized sensitive area for low timing jitter. The combined effective detection area is maintained through parallel operation, so that reducing the sensitive area of individual detectors for better timing resolution does not reduce overall detection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-detector spatial arrangement to a multi-detector array configuration. By adding the dimension of multiple detectors and introducing temporal routing through the deflection means, the system achieves both small effective sensitive area (for low jitter) and high detection efficiency through parallel detection channels.
3Productivity
If multiple single photon detectors are used in a detector array, then the capacity to handle high photon pulse repetition rates is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the detection system into multiple independent detectors, each capable of operating autonomously. This segmentation allows the system to handle high photon pulse repetition rates by distributing the detection load across multiple channels, with each detector operating independently during its active periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflection means serves as an intermediary that manages the complexity of routing photons to multiple detectors. It actively controls which detector receives each photon based on readiness state, thereby managing the complexity of the multi-detector configuration while maximizing the productivity benefit of having multiple detectors available.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the temporal resolving power of single photon detection by ensuring photons are detected by ready detectors, reducing dead time and timing jitter, thereby increasing the pulse repetition rate and detection efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the deflection means comprises one or more electro-optical modulator/s, and/or the deflection means comprises one or more acousto-optic modulator/s, in order to route the single photon to one of the single photon detectors
Implementation Method 2
the deflection means comprises one or more acousto-optic modulator/s, in order to route the single photon to one of the single photon detectors of the detector array
Data Source
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AI summary
It is claimed a method for high time resolving single photon detection, preferably for quantum computing and/or quantum communication, comprising a detector array (1) with two or more single photon detectors (2) and a deflection means (3), whereby the method comprises the steps i) transmission of the single photon to the detector array (1), ii) detection of the single photon at one single photon detector (2) of the detector array (1). According to the invention, the single photon is transmitted in step i) through the deflection means (3) to the detector array, and the deflection means (3) routes the single photon in step i) to one of the single photon detectors (2) of the detector array (1) in order to enable the detection of the single photon.