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Photon-number-discriminating detection using a quantum-dot, optically gated, field-effect transistor

Nature Photonics volume 1, pages 585–588 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Detectors with the capability to directly measure the photon number of a pulse of light1,2,3 enable linear optics quantum computing4, affect the security of quantum communications5, and can be used to characterize6,7,8 and herald9 non-classical states of light. Here, we demonstrate the photon-number-resolving capabilities of a quantum-dot, optically gated, field-effect transistor that uses quantum dots as optically addressable floating gates in a GaAs/Al0.2Ga0.8As δ-doped field-effect transistor. When the active area of the detector is illuminated, photo-generated carriers trapped by quantum dots screen the gate field, causing a persistent change in the channel current that is proportional to the number of confined carriers. Using weak laser pulses, we show that discrete numbers of trapped carriers produce well resolved changes in the channel current. We demonstrate that for a mean photon number of 1.1, decision regions can be defined such that the field-effect transistor determines the number of detected photons with a probability of accuracy greater than 83%.

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Figure 1: Diagram of a QDOGFET.
Figure 2: Persistent photo-response.
Figure 3: Photon-number discrimination.

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Acknowledgements

This work of the US government is not subject to US copyright.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Optoelectronics Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, 80305, Colorado, USA

    E. J. Gansen, M. A. Rowe, M. B. Greene, T. E. Harvey, M. Y. Su, S. W. Nam & R. P. Mirin

  2. Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, 87545, New Mexico, USA

    D. Rosenberg

  3. Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, UK

    R. H. Hadfield

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  1. E. J. Gansen
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Correspondence to E. J. Gansen.

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Gansen, E., Rowe, M., Greene, M. et al. Photon-number-discriminating detection using a quantum-dot, optically gated, field-effect transistor. Nature Photon 1, 585–588 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2007.173

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