An acoustoelectric single photon detector

Abstract

We propose a novel single photon detector for quantum information processing and for general applications in areas where the detection of ultra weak photon fluxes is required. The detector is also capable of discriminating between different numbers of photons in a light pulse. It uses acoustic charge transport in order to transfer photogenerated electrons and holes to areas where their charge can be detected by single electron transistors. Preliminary experimental results on the fidelity of the acoustic charge transport are presented, which allows us to make estimates of the detector's performance.