Dual-channel, single-photon upconversion detector near 1300 nm

摘要

Upconversion of 1.3-micron photons and detection using silicon avalanche photodiodes (Si APDs) can produce highphoton detection efficiencies (PDEs) with low dark count rates. We demonstrate a novel two-channel device based on aphase-modulated, periodically poled LiNbO3 waveguide that mixes 1302-nm signal photons with two pump beams at1556 and 1571 nm. Both channels showed high PDEs with very low dark counts. Using wavelength- to time-divisionmultiplexing in this dual-channel device, we produced clock rates that exceed the timing-jitter-limited rates of a systembased on one Si APD. Higher clock rates are of interest for improved quantum communication systems.© (2012) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.