Abstract
The maximum achievable data-rate of a quantum communication system can be critically limited by the efficiency and temporal resolution of the system's single-photon detectors. Frequency up-conversion technology can be used to increase detection efficiency for IR photons. In this paper we describe a scheme to improve the temporal resolution of an up-conversion single-photon detector using multi-wavelength optical-sampling techniques, allowing for increased transmission rates in single-photon communications systems. We experimentally demonstrate our approach with an up-conversion detector using two spectrally and temporally distinct pump pulses, and show that it allows for high-fidelity single-photon detection at twice the rate supported by a conventional single-pump up-conversion detector. We also discuss the limiting factors of this approach and identify important performance-limiting trade offs.
Highlights
In quantum communication systems, such as a quantum key distribution system, data rates are mainly limited by the system clock rate and the link losses
The temporal resolution of an up-conversion detector equipped with a Si avalanche photo-diodes (APDs) is typically limited by the jitter of the APD
If such an up-conversion detector is used in a high-speed quantum communication system, the highest transmission rate for the system is limited by inter-symbol interference (ISI) due to jitter in the APD
Summary
In quantum communication systems, such as a quantum key distribution system, data rates are mainly limited by the system clock rate and the link losses. Silicon based avalanche photo-diodes (Si APDs) are compact, relatively inexpensive, and can be operated at ambient temperatures with high detection efficiency and low noise in the visible or near-visible range They are not sensitive to wavelengths longer than roughly 1000 nm. Conversion system using ultra-short 790-nm pump pulses [17] These prior implementations use a single pump wavelength and are not suitable as means to increase the transmission rate in quantum communication systems because the sampling rate is still limited by the Si APD’s timing resolution. We propose an optical sampling approach uses multiple spectrally and temporally distinct pump pulses, to realize an up-conversion single-photon detection system that can support transmission rates significantly higher than the jitter-limited transmission rate of a traditional Si APD detector. When single photon detectors with better timing jitter, such as improved Si APD [20] and SSPD [2,3,4], are integrated into the scheme, the temporal resolution can be further improved
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