Grant: Research Tools and Instruments
University of Waterloo
$148,242.00
A single-photon counting CCD camera for quantum technologies and fundamental physics
FY 2015-16
Summary
Quantum systems have the potential to revolutionize communication and computer technology. These technologies stem from our ability to control and measure their often fragile quantum mechanical properties. Optical systems play a central role in quantum technologies; single photons are excellent carriers of quantum information over long distances and the degrees of freedom of light give rise to rich and complex entanglement, the quantum correlations that form the engine of many quantum technologies. Single optical photons are very dim signals that require very sensitive, low noise detectors to resolve, while observing entanglement often adds an additional requirement of high-speed detection for coincidence measurements. Conventional single-photon counting detectors, such as avalanche photo-diodes and photomultiplier tubes, satisfy these demands but are only 'single pixel' detectors. They are thus difficult to scale into 1-D or 2-D arrays adding spatial resolution to single-photon detection. Recent technological advances in CCD cameras have led to large 1000X1000 2-D arrays of high-speed, single-photon counting detectors by combining intensifier amplification (like in night-vision goggles) with electron-multiplying amplification, similar to the aforementioned conventional detectors. This camera system is ideal for several of our research streams which require coincidence detection of individual photon pairs with spatial resolution. For example, this camera would enable the detection of an entire single-photon spectrum when integrated into our spectrometer system 1000 times faster than measuring each pixel individually. It could provide an even greater speedup when the full 2D array is used to image the spatial profile of an optical beam at the single photon level, conditioned on the detection of another entangled photon. This research program would involve the full-time efforts of 3 PhD students. They would gain extensive experience with a state of the art detection system as well as lasers, electronics, spectroscopy, and nonlinear optics. It is anticipated that their work would be published in top-tier scientific journals.
Program
Research Tools and Instruments
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
RTI-2016-00006
Name nom
Resch, Kevin
Department département
Physics and Astronomy - Physics and Astronomy
Organization id
33
Institution établissement
University of Waterloo
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2015
Competition year année de concours
2016
Award amount
148242
Program id
RTI
Program name en
Research Tools and Instruments
Program name fr
Outils et instruments de recherche
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
1605
Committee name en
Physics (RTI)
Committee name fr
Physique (OIR)
Area of application code
1200
Area of application group en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application group fr
Avancement des connaissances
Area of application en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application fr
Avancement des connaissances
Research subject code
3110
Research subject group en
Physics
Research subject group fr
Physique
Research subject en
Optics (see also photon devices2505)
Research subject fr
Optique (voir aussi dispositifs photoniques, 2505)
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
A single-photon counting CCD camera for quantum technologies and fundamental physics
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
<p>Quantum systems have the potential to revolutionize communication and computer technology. These technologies stem from our ability to control and measure their often fragile quantum mechanical properties. Optical systems play a central role in quantum technologies; single photons are excellent carriers of quantum information over long distances and the degrees of freedom of light give rise to rich and complex entanglement, the quantum correlations that form the engine of many quantum technologies. <br><br>Single optical photons are very dim signals that require very sensitive, low noise detectors to resolve, while observing entanglement often adds an additional requirement of high-speed detection for coincidence measurements. Conventional single-photon counting detectors, such as avalanche photo-diodes and photomultiplier tubes, satisfy these demands but are only 'single pixel' detectors. They are thus difficult to scale into 1-D or 2-D arrays adding spatial resolution to single-photon detection. Recent technological advances in CCD cameras have led to large 1000X1000 2-D arrays of high-speed, single-photon counting detectors by combining intensifier amplification (like in night-vision goggles) with electron-multiplying amplification, similar to the aforementioned conventional detectors. This camera system is ideal for several of our research streams which require coincidence detection of individual photon pairs with spatial resolution. For example, this camera would enable the detection of an entire single-photon spectrum when integrated into our spectrometer system 1000 times faster than measuring each pixel individually. It could provide an even greater speedup when the full 2D array is used to image the spatial profile of an optical beam at the single photon level, conditioned on the detection of another entangled photon. <br><br>This research program would involve the full-time efforts of 3 PhD students. They would gain extensive experience with a state of the art detection system as well as lasers, electronics, spectroscopy, and nonlinear optics. It is anticipated that their work would be published in top-tier scientific journals.</p>
