Standing-Wave Photon Detector Layout for Fast Number Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photon number resolving detectors face limitations such as high dark count rates, slow operational rates, and non-uniform illumination, making them unsuitable for practical applications requiring high-speed single-shot photon number discrimination.
Innovation Solution
A method and detector arrangement that utilizes an electromagnetic standing wave to interact with multiple light absorbing elements spaced apart, allowing for deterministic light absorption and detection without optical mode multiplication, achieving uniform exposure and high detection efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiplexed photon number resolving detectors are used to achieve photon number resolution, then photon number resolution capability is improved, but operational rate decreases and time jitter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detector array is segmented into multiple independent pixel elements, each capable of autonomous photon detection and number resolution. This segmentation allows parallel processing of photons across multiple pixels simultaneously, maintaining high operational rates while achieving photon number resolution through the collective response of the segmented elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from temporal multiplexing (time-domain) to spatial multiplexing (space-domain) by arranging light absorbing elements in a two-dimensional detector array. This dimensional change eliminates the need for sequential temporal mode multiplication, thereby maintaining high operational rates and low time jitter while achieving photon number resolution through spatial distribution of detection elements.
2Measurement precision
If multiplexed photon number resolving detectors are used to achieve photon number resolution, then photon number resolution capability is improved, but dark count rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each pixel element in the detector array is designed with optimized local properties including tailored light absorbing characteristics and noise suppression mechanisms. By optimizing the local quality of individual pixels with appropriate light absorbing coefficients and detection thresholds, the system achieves photon number resolution while minimizing dark count rates through localized parameter optimization.
3Productivity
If space multiplication approach is used to detect photons, then operational rate is maintained, but uniformity of illumination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically varies the light absorbing coefficients of different pixel elements based on their spatial positions within the detector array. Pixels receiving higher light intensity are assigned lower absorbing coefficients, while pixels in lower-intensity regions have higher absorbing coefficients. This parameter optimization compensates for non-uniform illumination, ensuring uniform detection response across all pixels while maintaining high operational rates.
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
Simultaneously meets the requirements of high detection efficiency, uniform exposure, and high detection rate with low time jitter, enabling practical applications in quantum optics and classical weak light measurement.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light absorbing elements configured to be arranged spaced apart from each other to interact with an electromagnetic standing wave at a corresponding plurality of points of the electromagnetic standing wave to absorb at least part of the electromagnetic standing wave
Data Source
AI summary
According to embodiments of the present invention, a method of detecting photons is provided. The method includes arranging a plurality of light absorbing elements to interact with an electromagnetic standing wave at a corresponding plurality of points of the electromagnetic standing wave to absorb at least part of the electromagnetic standing wave, the plurality of light absorbing elements being spaced apart from each other, and detecting electrical signals generated in response to the absorption to detect photons corresponding to the electromagnetic standing wave. According to further embodiments of the present invention, a photon detector arrangement is also provided.