Counting near-infrared single-photons with 95% efficiency
TL;DR: The fabrication and evaluation of a fiber-coupled, photon-number-resolving TES detector optimized for absorption at 1550 and 1310 nm wavelengths is described, which to the authors' knowledge is the highest system detection efficiency reported for a near-infrared single-photon detector.
Abstract: Single-photon detectors operating at visible and near-infrared wavelengths with high detection efficiency and low noise are a requirement for many quantum-information applications. Superconducting transition-edge sensors (TESs) are capable of detecting visible and near-infrared light at the single-photon level and are capable of discriminating between one-and two-photon absorption events; however these capabilities place stringent design requirements on the TES heat capacity, thermometry, and optical detection efficiency. We describe the fabrication and evaluation of a fiber-coupled, photon-number-resolving TES detector optimized for absorption at 1550 and 1310 nm wavelengths. The measured system detection efficiency at 1556 nm is 95 %±2 %, which to our knowledge is the highest system detection efficiency reported for a near-infrared single-photon detector.Work of US government: not subject to US copyright
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TL;DR: This review focuses on continuous-variable quantum information processes that rely on any combination of Gaussian states, Gaussian operations, and Gaussian measurements, including quantum communication, quantum cryptography, quantum computation, quantum teleportation, and quantum state and channel discrimination.
Abstract: The science of quantum information has arisen over the last two decades centered on the manipulation of individual quanta of information, known as quantum bits or qubits. Quantum computers, quantum cryptography, and quantum teleportation are among the most celebrated ideas that have emerged from this new field. It was realized later on that using continuous-variable quantum information carriers, instead of qubits, constitutes an extremely powerful alternative approach to quantum information processing. This review focuses on continuous-variable quantum information processes that rely on any combination of Gaussian states, Gaussian operations, and Gaussian measurements. Interestingly, such a restriction to the Gaussian realm comes with various benefits, since on the theoretical side, simple analytical tools are available and, on the experimental side, optical components effecting Gaussian processes are readily available in the laboratory. Yet, Gaussian quantum information processing opens the way to a wide variety of tasks and applications, including quantum communication, quantum cryptography, quantum computation, quantum teleportation, and quantum state and channel discrimination. This review reports on the state of the art in this field, ranging from the basic theoretical tools and landmark experimental realizations to the most recent successful developments.
2,781 citations
TL;DR: The theoretical and experimental status quo of this very active field of quantum repeater protocols is reviewed, and the potentials of different approaches are compared quantitatively, with a focus on the most immediate goal of outperforming the direct transmission of photons.
Abstract: The distribution of quantum states over long distances is limited by photon loss. Straightforward amplification as in classical telecommunications is not an option in quantum communication because of the no-cloning theorem. This problem could be overcome by implementing quantum repeater protocols, which create long-distance entanglement from shorter-distance entanglement via entanglement swapping. Such protocols require the capacity to create entanglement in a heralded fashion, to store it in quantum memories, and to swap it. One attractive general strategy for realizing quantum repeaters is based on the use of atomic ensembles as quantum memories, in combination with linear optical techniques and photon counting to perform all required operations. Here the theoretical and experimental status quo of this very active field are reviewed. The potentials of different approaches are compared quantitatively, with a focus on the most immediate goal of outperforming the direct transmission of photons.
1,603 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a review highlights the recent progress which has been made towards improved single-photon detector technologies and the impact these developments will have on quantum optics and quantum information science.
Abstract: This review highlights the recent progress which has been made towards improved single-photon detector technologies and the impact these developments will have on quantum optics and quantum information science.
1,575 citations
01 May 2012
TL;DR: In this article, a review of the state of the art in continuous-variable quantum information processing can be found, ranging from the basic theoretical tools and landmark experimental realizations to the most recent successful developments.
Abstract: The science of quantum information has arisen over the last two decades centered on the manipulation of individual quanta of information, known as quantum bits or qubits. Quantum computers, quantum cryptography and quantum teleportation are among the most celebrated ideas that have emerged from this new field. It was realized later on that using continuous-variable quantum information carriers, instead of qubits, constitutes an extremely powerful alternative approach to quantum information processing. This review focuses on continuous-variable quantum information processes that rely on any combination of Gaussian states, Gaussian operations, and Gaussian measurements. Interestingly, such a restriction to the Gaussian realm comes with various benefits, since on the theoretical side, simple analytical tools are available and, on the experimental side, optical components effecting Gaussian processes are readily available in the laboratory. Yet, Gaussian quantum information processing opens the way to a wide variety of tasks and applications, including quantum communication, quantum cryptography, quantum computation, quantum teleportation, and quantum state and channel discrimination. This review reports on the state of the art in this field, ranging from the basic theoretical tools and landmark experimental realizations to the most recent successful developments.
1,374 citations
TL;DR: The current status of single-photon-source and single-Photon-detector technologies operating at wavelengths from the ultraviolet to the infrared are reviewed and applications of these technologies to quantum communication are discussed.
Abstract: We review the current status of single-photon-source and single-photon-detector technologies operating at wavelengths from the ultraviolet to the infrared. We discuss applications of these technologies to quantum communication, a field currently driving much of the development of single-photon sources and detectors.
1,280 citations
References
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TL;DR: Practical application of the generalized Bells theorem in the so-called key distribution process in cryptography is reported, based on the Bohms version of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen gedanken experiment andBells theorem is used to test for eavesdropping.
Abstract: Practical application of the generalized Bells theorem in the so-called key distribution process in cryptography is reported. The proposed scheme is based on the Bohms version of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen gedanken experiment and Bells theorem is used to test for eavesdropping. © 1991 The American Physical Society.
9,259 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that efficient quantum computation is possible using only beam splitters, phase shifters, single photon sources and photo-detectors and are robust against errors from photon loss and detector inefficiency.
Abstract: Quantum computers promise to increase greatly the efficiency of solving problems such as factoring large integers, combinatorial optimization and quantum physics simulation. One of the greatest challenges now is to implement the basic quantum-computational elements in a physical system and to demonstrate that they can be reliably and scalably controlled. One of the earliest proposals for quantum computation is based on implementing a quantum bit with two optical modes containing one photon. The proposal is appealing because of the ease with which photon interference can be observed. Until now, it suffered from the requirement for non-linear couplings between optical modes containing few photons. Here we show that efficient quantum computation is possible using only beam splitters, phase shifters, single photon sources and photo-detectors. Our methods exploit feedback from photo-detectors and are robust against errors from photon loss and detector inefficiency. The basic elements are accessible to experimental investigation with current technology.
5,236 citations
TL;DR: A related but simpler EPR scheme is described and it is proved it secure against more general attacks, including substitution of a fake EPR source and the original 1984 key distribution scheme of Bennett and Brassard, which uses single particles instead of EPR pairs.
Abstract: Ekert has described a cryptographic scheme in which Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) pairs of particles are used to generate identical random numbers in remote places, while Bell's theorem certifies that the particles have not been measured in transit by an eavesdropper. We describe a related but simpler EPR scheme and, without invoking Bell's theorem, prove it secure against more general attacks, including substitution of a fake EPR source. Finally we show our scheme is equivalent to the original 1984 key distribution scheme of Bennett and Brassard, which uses single particles instead of EPR pairs.
2,050 citations
TL;DR: Simultaneity in optical photon pairs parametric production, verifying quantum mechanical description of fluorescence is discussed in this paper. But it is not discussed in detail in this paper..
Abstract: Simultaneity in optical photon pairs parametric production, verifying quantum mechanical description of fluorescence
966 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a superconducting transition edge sensor is proposed, where the temperature of a superconding film is held constant by feeding back to its position on the resistive transition edge.
Abstract: A novel type of superconducting transition edge sensor is proposed. In this sensor, the temperature of a superconducting film is held constant by feeding back to its position on the resistive transition edge. Energy deposited in the film is measured by a reduction in the feedback Joule heating. This mode of operation should lead to substantial improvements in resolution, linearity, dynamic range, and count rate. Fundamental resolution limits are below ΔE=√kT2C, which is sometimes incorrectly referred to as the thermodynamic limit. This performance is better than any existing technology operating at the same temperature, count rate, and absorber heat capacity. Applications include high resolution x‐ray spectrometry, dark matter searches, and neutrino detection.
714 citations