Southwest Quantum Information and Technology

Fundamental limits of photodetectors

Presenting Author: Saul Propp, University of Oregon
Contributing Author(s): Steven van Enk

Starting from the most basic model of photodetection in the single-photon limit, we add different ingredients such as intermediate states, side channels, and quantum amplification mechanisms to create a general theory of photodetection applicable to all physical platforms. When these ingredients are added individually, we see two-way trade-off relations for five standard figures-of-merit: dead time, quantum efficiency, dark count rate, and time and frequency resolution. Adding both intermediate states and an atomic side channel, we observe a non-monotonic three-way trade-off between quantum efficiency and time and frequency resolution. We discuss how to extend this model further (detection of multiple photons, classical fluctuations, coupling to fermionic continuum states) as well as the mathematical machinery we used to generate this model (POVMs, theory of pseudomodes, quantum trajectory method).

(Session 5 : Thursday from 5:00pm - 7:00 pm)