Photon Source Research Articles

Xenon plasma-focused ion beam milling for fabrication of high-purity, bright single-photon sources operating in the C-band

Electron beam lithography is a standard method for fabricating photonic micro and nanostructures around semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), which are crucial for efficient single and indistinguishable photon sources in quantum information processing. However, this technique is difficult for direct 3D control of the structure shape, complicating the design and enlarging the 2D footprint to suppress in-plane photon leakage while directing photons into the collecting lens aperture. Here, we present an alternative approach to employ xenon plasma-focused ion beam (Xe-PFIB) technology as a reliable method for the 3D shaping of photonic structures containing low-density self-assembled InAs/InP quantum dots emitting in the C-band range of the 3rd telecommunication window. The method is optimized to minimize the possible ion-beam-induced material degradation, which allows exploration of both non-deterministic and deterministic fabrication approaches, resulting in photonic structures naturally shaped as truncated cones. As a demonstration, we fabricate mesas using a heterogeneously integrated structure with a QD membrane atop an aluminum mirror and silicon substrate. Finite-difference time-domain simulations show that the angled sidewalls significantly increase the emission collection efficiency to approx. 0.9 for NA = 0.65. We demonstrate experimentally a high purity of pulsed single-photon emission (∼99%) and a superior extraction efficiency value reported in the C-band of η = 24 ± 4%.

Excluding significant coronary artery disease in patients planned for TAVR using CT: Diagnostic accuracy of newest generation dual source photon counting scanner compared to coronary angiography

Abstract Introduction Patients with significant aortic stenosis routinely undergo CT for evaluation of the aortic root prior to interventional aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Assessment of CAD is usually performed by invasive coronary angiography. We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of the latest generation dual source photon counting scanner for exclusion of relevant CAD in a contemporary TAVR cohort. Methods Patients referred for cardiac CT prior to transcatheter aortic valve implantation were screened for inclusion this analysis. All cardiac CT exams were performed by dual source photon counting scanner (NAEOTOM alpha, Siemens healthineers, Germany). CT acquisitions were performed using retrospectively triggered spiral acquisition (30-70% of the cardiac cycle) without ultra-high resolution. For each patient, several reconstructions were rendered (thin slice reconstruction with 0.4 mm slice thickness: best diastolic phase, best systolic phase, 200-350 ms folllowing R-wave in 50 ms intervals as well as 0.6 mm slice thickness multiphase reconstruction 0-90% of the cardiac cycle in 10 % increments). Assessment of significant CAD was performed in CT and invasive angiography on a per-vessel analysis and a per-patient analysis using 2 thresholds: ≥ 50% stenosis and ≥ 70% stenosis. Assessment of stenoses in CT was performed using multiplanar reconstructions (MPR) and curved MPR and only in vessels > 1.5mm diameter. Assessment of stenosis in invasive angiography was performed using the projection with the most relevant lumen reduction. Image quality in CT was assessed on a likert scale from 1 to 4 (1=excellent, 2=minor artifacts, 3=major artifacts still assessable, 4=non-assessable). Results In this analysis 31 consecutive patients were included (mean age 79.5y, 64.5% males, 35.5% females). Mean heart rate was 66.5 bpm and 19% were in atrial fibrillation during CT acquisition. Mean image quality was 1.4. 13 Patients had no relevant CAD (stenosis ≥50%) in invasive angiography and in 18 patients at least 1 vessel was deemed to have ≥ 50% stenosis in invasive angiography. On a per vessel analysis, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of cardiac CT to exclude stenoses using 50% and 70% thresholds were 98%, 93% and 94% vs. 97%, 93% and 94%, respectively. Negative likelihood ratio was 0.02 vs. 0.03 respectively. On a per-patient level, sensitivity and specificity were 100%. Out of 31 patients, only 2 vessels in 2 patients were deemed non-assessable. 3 patients with previous PCI as well as 3 patients with previous CABG were included in this analysis. Only 1 false negative vessel was reported in a very distal LAD segment. Conclusion Using newest generation dual source CT with photon counting, CT allowed highly reliable diagnostic workup regarding the presence of CAD in this TAVR cohort. The use of CT to assess CAD in TAVR patients seems clinically feasible especially in patients without previous percutaneous revascularisation.

Heralded Generation of Correlated Photon Pairs from CdS/CdSe/CdS Quantum Shells.

Quantum information processing demands efficient quantum light sources (QLS) capable of producing high-fidelity single photons or entangled photon pairs. Single epitaxial quantum dots (QDs) have long been proven to be efficient sources of deterministic single photons; however, their production via molecular-beam epitaxy presents scalability challenges. Conversely, colloidal semiconductor QDs offer scalable solution processing and tunable photoluminescence, but suffer from broader linewidths and unstable emissions. This leads to spectrally inseparable emission from exciton (X) and biexciton (XX) states, complicating the production of single photons and triggered photon pairs. Here, we demonstrate that colloidal semiconductor quantum shells (QSs) achieve significant spectral separation (∼75-80 meV) and long temporal stability of X and XX emissive states, enabling the observation of exciton-biexciton bunching in colloidal QDs. Our low-temperature single-particle measurements show cascaded XX-X emission of single photon pairs for over 200 s, with minimal overlap between X and XX features. The X-XX distinguishability allows for an in-depth theoretical characterization of cross-correlation strength, placing it in perspective with photon pairs of epitaxial counterparts. These findings highlight a strong potential of semiconductor quantum shells for applications in quantum information processing.

Quantifying motion blur by imaging shock front propagation with broadband and narrowband X-ray sources

Time-integrated radiography using MeV Bremsstrahlung X-ray sources is the norm for imaging during system-level testing of components and structures under dynamic condition. One source of error in the analysis of the time-integrated radiography data sets stems from motion blur which smears out sharp interfaces to a greater degree with longer exposure times, which become necessary to provide sufficient signal-to-noise with low X-ray penetration of objects of interest. To quantify motion blur, a 1D shock wave through PMMA was investigated experimentally at The Dynamic Compression Sector at The Advanced Photon Source (DCS@APS) with tapered broadband and 25.46 ± 1.06 keV narrowband X-rays. Four cameras with different exposure times were used for each experiment to compare the effect that exposure time has on motion blur. In addition, our methodology to accurately simulate motion blur in terms of transmission and shape is presented and compared to our experimental results and quantified. There is a high level of agreement between the experimental and simulation results across the range of data sets investigated in this study with a percent difference range of 0.29–1.31% for the four shots. The methodology of this work serves as a steppingstone towards a physically validated model that could be used in conjunction with experimental results to deconvolve physical parameters, densities, and interfaces of interest in a way that would not be possible with experimental results alone.

Modal phase-matching in thin-film lithium niobate waveguides for efficient generation of entangled photon pairs

Thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) waveguides have emerged as a pivotal platform for on-chip spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC), serving as a crucible for the generation of entangled photon pairs. The periodic poling of TFLN, while capable of generating high-efficiency SPDC, demands intricate fabrication processes that can be onerous in terms of scalability and manufacturability. In this work, we introduce a novel approach to the generation of entangled photon pairs via SPDC within TFLN waveguides, harnessing the principles of modal phase-matching (MPM). To address the challenge of efficiently exciting pump light typically in a higher-order mode, we have engineered a mode converter that couples two asymmetrically dimensioned waveguides. This converter adeptly transforms the fundamental mode into a higher-order mode, demonstrating a conversion loss of 1.55 dB at 785 nm with a 3 dB bandwidth exceeding 30 nm. Subsequently, we have showcased the device’s capabilities by characterizing the pair generation rate (PGR), coincidences-to-accidentals ratio (CAR), and spectral profile of the entangled photon source. Our findings present a simplified and versatile method for the on-chip generation of entangled photon sources, which may pave the way for the application in the realms of quantum information processing and communication technologies.

High-precision spatial measurement method of accelerator pre-alignment based on multiple total stations

Abstract With the development of accelerator technology, the scale of accelerators is becoming larger, ranging from hundreds of meters to several kilometers. For stable operation of accelerators, high-precision alignment, positioning, and installation are crucial. Installing all equipment inside the tunnel poses safety risks as personnel would be in a closed environment with potential radiation exposure for prolonged periods. To address the challenges of long adjustment and maintenance periods inside the tunnel due to the installation of equipment for large-scale accelerators, most accelerator devices under construction or in research have pre-alignment assemblies. Each assembly consists of a certain number of magnets distributed on girders. The magnets in one unit are pre-aligned with high precision in the laboratory and then transported to the tunnel. Aligning the entire magnet girder can significantly improve installation efficiency inside the tunnel. To meet the pre-alignment accuracy requirement of 10 μm in the horizontal and vertical directions for the magnet units in the high energy photon source (HEPS) storage ring, a system for high-precision pre-alignment of accelerator units using four total stations for angle observation has been designed in this paper. By employing different instrument layout configurations and incorporating reliable distance benchmarks, high-precision pre-alignment of the magnet are achieved. By arranging targets and utilizing recognition for automatic targeting, real-time point calculations during pre-alignment enhance efficiency. Subsequently, based on this system, pre-alignment simulation calculations and experimental verification of eight magnet focusing–defocusing units in the HEPS storage ring are conducted and ultimately realizing the 10 μm transverse and vertical pre-alignment measuring error within the units. This method, based on high-precision measurements in a small-scale space, reduces the period required for personnel on-site and improves pre-alignment efficiency. It also provides a reference for pre-alignment of multiple magnet units in large accelerators such as the Southern Advanced Photon Source and Circular Electron Positron Collider.

Plasmonic Nanocavity to Boost Single Photon Emission From Defects in Thin Hexagonal Boron Nitride

AbstractEfficient and compact single photon emission platforms operating at room temperature with ultrafast speed and high brightness will be fundamental components of the emerging quantum communications and computing fields. However, so far, it is very challenging to design practical deterministic single photon emitters based on nanoscale solid‐state materials that meet the fast emission rate and strong brightness demands. Here, a solution is provided to this longstanding problem by using metallic nanocavities integrated with hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) flakes with defects acting as nanoscale single photon emitters (SPEs) at room temperature. The presented hybrid nanophotonic structure creates a rapid speedup and large enhancement in single photon emission at room temperature. Hence, the nonclassical light emission performance is substantially improved compared to plain hBN flakes and hBN on gold‐layered structures without nanocavity. Extensive theoretical calculations are also performed to accurately model the new hybrid nanophotonic system and prove that the incorporation of plasmonic nanocavity is key to efficient SPE performance. The proposed quantum nanocavity single photon source is expected to be an element of paramount importance to the envisioned room‐temperature integrated quantum photonic networks.

InGaP χ(2) integrated photonics platform for broadband, ultra-efficient nonlinear conversion and entangled photon generation

Nonlinear optics plays an important role in many areas of science and technology. The advance of nonlinear optics is empowered by the discovery and utilization of materials with growing optical nonlinearity. Here we demonstrate an indium gallium phosphide (InGaP) integrated photonics platform for broadband, ultra-efficient second-order nonlinear optics. The InGaP nanophotonic waveguide enables second-harmonic generation with a normalized efficiency of 128, 000%/W/cm2 at 1.55 μm pump wavelength, nearly two orders of magnitude higher than the state of the art in the telecommunication C band. Further, we realize an ultra-bright, broadband time-energy entangled photon source with a pair generation rate of 97 GHz/mW and a bandwidth of 115 nm centered at the telecommunication C band. The InGaP entangled photon source shows high coincidence-to-accidental counts ratio CAR > 104 and two-photon interference visibility > 98%. The InGaP second-order nonlinear photonics platform will have wide-ranging implications for non-classical light generation, optical signal processing, and quantum networking.

High-dimensional quantum key distribution using orbital angular momentum of single photons from a colloidal quantum dot at room temperature

High-dimensional quantum key distribution (HDQKD) is a promising avenue to address the inherent limitations of basic quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols. However, experimental realizations of HDQKD to date have relied on indeterministic photon sources that limit the achievable key rate. In this paper, we demonstrate a full emulation of a HDQKD system using a single colloidal giant quantum dot (gQD) as a deterministic, compact, and room-temperature single-photon source (SPS). We demonstrate a practical protocol by encoding information in a high-dimensional space (d = 3) of the orbital angular momentum of the photons. Our experimental configuration incorporates two spatial light modulators for encoding and decoding the spatial information carried by individual photons. Our experimental demonstration establishes the feasibility of utilizing high radiative quantum yield gQDs as practical SPSs for HDQKD. We also experimentally demonstrate surpassing the traditional d = 2 QKD capacity with comparable error rates, indicating a significant improvement in performance while maintaining reliability.

Observation of Three-Photon Cascaded Emission from Triexcitons in Giant CsPbBr3 Quantum Dots at Room Temperature.

Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals have long been considered a promising source of time-correlated and entangled photons via the cascaded emission of multiexcitonic states. The spectroscopy of such cascaded emission, however, is hindered by efficient nonradiative Auger-Meitner decay, rendering multiexcitonic states nonemissive. Here we present room-temperature heralded spectroscopy of three-photon cascades from triexcitons in giant CsPbBr3 nanocrystals. We show that this system exhibits second- and third-order correlation function values, g(2)(0) and g(3)(0,0), close to unity, identifying very weak binding of both biexcitons and triexcitons. Combining fluorescence lifetime analysis, photon statistics, and spectroscopy, we can readily identify emission from higher multiexcitonic states. We use this to verify emission from a single emitter despite high emission quantum yields of multiply excited states and comparable emission lifetimes of singly and multiply excited states. Finally, we present potential pathways toward control of the photon number statistics of multiexcitonic emission cascades.

Quantum interferences and gates with emitter-based coherent photon sources

Quantum interferences and gates with emitter-based coherent photon sources

Feasibility of Photonuclear Transmutation of Long-Lived Fission Products Extracted from Used Nuclear Fuel

To achieve the goal of net-zero carbon emission in energy production, nuclear power capacity and waste generation are expected to expand significantly in the next few decades. In the condition of continuous fuel recycling, long-lived fission products (LLFPs) are dominant contributors to the disposal impacts of nuclear waste. In this study, six LLFPs, including 99Tc, 129I, 135Cs, 126Sn, 93Zr, and 79Se, were identified as the primary contributors to more than 99% of long-term radiotoxicity of disposed nuclear waste across a wide range of fuel cycle scenarios. To reduce the amounts of LLFPs sent to geological repositories, the nuclear transmutation of LLFPs is being pursued. Specifically, this work systematically assessed the feasibility of transmuting LLFPs via photonuclear reactions. Photon transmutation is physically viable for the identified primary LLFPs except for 99Tc. For the five transmutable LLFPs, the achievable photon transmutation performance without isotopic separation was evaluated based on scoping calculations and consideration of nuclear data uncertainties. Using an extremely intense laser Compton photon source of 1019 γ /s, the effective transmutation half-life can be reduced to a few years. However, the absolute transmutation rates of LLFPs remain below 1 kg/yr. The energy required to power the photon source for transmuting all LLFPs produced in a nuclear reactor exceeds the net energy output of the reactor. Several potential strategies for improving photon transmutation performance were analyzed. None can substantially enhance the performance to make it practical for industrial applications.

Advances in hard X-ray RIXS toward meV resolution in the study of 5d transition metal materials

Resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) has played a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of spin-orbit physics in 5d transition metal materials. The progress in RIXS techniques has closely paralleled improvements in energy resolution, which have enabled the study of very low-lying excitations and led to the discovery of numerous new phenomena with significant scientific and technological implications. The multi-bend achromat (MBA) lattice upgrade of third-generation synchrotron sources, such as the Advanced Photon Source (APS), heralds a transformative era by introducing enhancements in brilliance and emittance. These advancements provide an opportunity to push the boundaries of RIXS techniques, meeting the challenges at the research frontiers of material science. This article aims to highlight key instrumental and technical advancements that enable the achievement of meV resolution in RIXS and discuss the impact of such high-resolution RIXS on exploring spin-orbit physics in 5d transition metal materials.

Development and tests of the 499.8 MHz srf cryomodules for HEPS

A 499.8 MHz single-cell superconducting cavity has been proposed as the active third-harmonic cavity for the High Energy Photon Source (HEPS), a 6 GeV diffraction-limited synchrotron light source currently under construction in Beijing. Two 499.8 MHz cryomodules are required to provide a total of 3.5 MV of rf voltage and 400 kW of beam power. A mechanically enhanced cavity design, based on the original KEKB-type cavity, was developed to meet the specifications of HEPS. Three cryomodules have been assembled and subjected to horizontal tests. A comprehensive clean-assembly procedure was developed, resulting in excellent rf performance maintained from vertical tests to horizontal tests at cryogenic temperatures. The unloaded quality factors of all three modules exceeded 2.45×109 at 1.75 MV, significantly surpassing the design goal. No field emissions were observed throughout the tests. These are the highest-performing 500 MHz modules treated by buffered chemical polishing, also outperforming the average performance of their electropolished counterparts. Following dedicated analyses and multiple road tests, one cryomodule was successfully transported in its entirety from the test platform to the HEPS tunnel, with well-controlled accelerations on delicate components. Vacuum integrity and performance were well maintained. The module has been accelerating electron beams since August 2024 for the HEPS commissioning. This paper presents the design, fabrication, assembly, cryogenic tests, and transportation of the mechanically improved 499.8 MHz single-cell srf cryomodule.

Fast high voltage pulser for the southern advanced photon source

The Southern Advanced Photon Source (SAPS) is a planned fourth-generation synchrotron radiation facility featuring a low-emittance storage ring. For the H-7BA lattice design, the dynamic aperture is significantly smaller than the physical aperture, necessitating the use of a strip-line kicker based on an on-axis injection scheme. To minimize interference from the pulser on adjacent beams, a nanosecond pulser with stringent rise and fall time requirements is essential. A prototype pulser, based on a semiconductor opening switch, was developed to meet these demands. A nonlinear transmission line loaded with ferrite was utilized for pulse shaping, yielding favorable results. The prototype generated a pulse at a 50 Ω load with a rise time (10%–90%) of 2.4 ns, a fall time (90%–10%) of 3.9 ns, a pulse width (10%–10%) of 7.8 ns, and an amplitude of 19.8 kV. This paper presents the detailed design, optimization, and performance evaluation of the pulser.

Atmospheric Response for MeV γ Rays Observed with Balloon-borne Detectors

The atmospheric response for MeV γ rays (∼0.1–10 MeV) can be characterized in terms of two observed components. The first component is due to photons that reach the detector without scattering. The second component is due to photons that reach the detector after scattering one or more times. While the former can be determined in a straightforward manner, the latter is much more complex to quantify, as it requires tracking the transport of all source photons that are incident on Earth’s atmosphere. The scattered component can cause a significant energy-dependent distortion in the measured spectrum, which is important to account for when making balloon-borne observations. In this work, we simulate the full response for γ-ray transport in the atmosphere. We find that the scattered component becomes increasingly more significant toward lower energies, and at 0.1 MeV, it may increase the measured flux by as much as a factor of ∼2–4, depending on the photon index and off-axis angle of the source. This is particularly important for diffuse sources, whereas the effect from scattering can be significantly reduced for point sources observed with an imaging telescope.

AstroSat and Insight-HXMT Observations of the Long-period X-Ray Pulsar 4U 2206+54

We report the timing and spectral studies of the accreting X-ray pulsar 4U 2206+54 using AstroSat and Insight-HXMT observations taken in 2016 and 2020 respectively. X-ray pulsations from the system are detected by both missions. The AstroSat discovered a significant periodic signal at ∼5619 s in 2016, and Insight-HXMT found a pulsation period at ∼5291 s in 2020. A comparison of its spin-period evolution with the present spin-period estimates shows that the neutron star in 4U 2206+54 now has recently been undergoing a spin-up episode after attaining to its slow pulsations of 5750 s around 2015 from its prolonged spin-down phase. The present average spin-up rate of the pulsar is found to be at ∼1.2 × 10−13 Hz s−1. The phase-averaged spectra of the pulsar in 1–60 keV could be explained with a high-energy cutoff power-law continuum model; no evident line features are found with AstroSat. The application of Comptonization models such as comptt and compmag to the phase-averaged spectra of 4U 2206+54 reveals a hotter source photon region near the pulsar with an emission size extending to ∼2–2.8 km. Using the quasi-spherical settling accretion theory, we explain the present spin-up and the possibility of the strong magnetic field of the pulsar.

Synthesis, Development, and Evaluation Technologies of High-quality Quantum Dots

Reliable quantum dots are prerequisite to the development of quantum device assembly. It may serve as a single photon source that can be combined with the rest of the assembly for the delivery of the generated photon. This article briefly introduces the synthesis, development and evaluation technologies of high-quality quantum dots. Their applications in display and illumination areas in the form of remote components will also be briefly introduced.

Development of silicon drift detectors for synchrotron radiation sources

Synchrotron radiation facilities are essential interdisciplinary research platforms, with performance and efficiency closely tied to detector technology. To meet future requirements, especially the High Energy Photon Source (HEPS), we have conducted key technological research and development on single-element and array Silicon Drift Detectors (SDDs). The research and testing were conducted at the Platform of Advanced Photon Source Technology (PAPS). The test results indicate that the single-element SDD has achieved an energy resolution of 143 eV@5.9 keV (−35 °C), and the 20-unit array-SDD has reached an energy resolution of better than 300 eV@13.96 keV (−40 °C).

Methodology study for determining the half-value layer using the Monte Carlo code PHITS

For most purposes, the quality of a beam can be specified in terms of the half-value layer (HVL), which is the thickness of material required to reduce the air kerma to half, at one meter from the source, from a unidirectional beam of infinitesimal width. Just like many other radiological quantities of interest, the HVL can be estimated via simulations employing the Monte Carlo Method (MCM). Among the variety of MCM based codes available, the Particles and Heavy Ions Transport Code System (PHITS) was the one adopted in this study. Primarily, simulations were conducted to determine the X-ray spectra resulting from the interaction of electron beams with different energies with a tungsten anode. Each of these spectra was then defined as a probability distribution for the photon source energies in a second round of simulations, where it was possible to estimate the X-ray beam qualities as specified by the reference literature. At this stage, it was possible to estimate the mean energy of the beam and the conversion coefficient for air kerma per unit fluence for each of the qualities. The results obtained in this phase were used to define the sources for other groups of simulations, where the air kerma was quantified for each source configuration, for different thicknesses of an aluminum metallic attenuator, which was also done with spectra for the same X-ray beam qualities obtained from a reference catalog. Curve fitting on the scatter of kerma points as a function of attenuation allowed the estimation of the HVL. The results obtained are consistent with the values described in the literature and demonstrate the efficiency of the developed methodology, as well as the use of the code in the evaluated energy range for X-rays.