Photon counting | EPFL Graph Search

Photon counting is a technique in which individual photons are counted using a single-photon detector (SPD). A single-photon detector emits a pulse of signal for each detected photon. The counting efficiency is determined by the quantum efficiency and the system's electronic losses. Many photodetectors can be configured to detect individual photons, each with relative advantages and disadvantages. Common types include photomultipliers, geiger counters, single-photon avalanche diodes, superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors, transition edge sensors, and scintillation counters. Charge-coupled devices can be used. Advantages Photon counting eliminates gain noise, where the proportionality constant between analog signal out and number of photons varies randomly. Thus, the excess noise factor of a photon-counting detector is unity, and the achievable signal-to-noise ratio for a fixed number of photons is generally higher than the same detector without photon counting.

Extension of miniature neutron scintillators features in CROCUS: novel acquisition scheme and extended flux range

Colin Rochat

The goal of this work was the improvement of the capabilities of a miniature neutron detector, for easing its use, and extending its range of applicability. Firstly, the Red Pitaya STEMlab 125-14 was the object of an exploratory study in order to propose an alternative method to the two current acquisition electronics based on photon counting, using analog and digital means. The study allowed to establish a new methodology based on the direct use of the SiPM pre-amplifier output, requiring the hypothesis that neutron events can be discriminated directly by pulse amplitude. It was first tested in the low neutron flux of the CARROUSEL facility, and the results were compared to the analog electronics. The agreement in count rate, spectrum, and linearity demonstrates the validity of this new methodology. Moreover, its application in CROCUS allowed demonstrating that it is working in reactor condition up to a flux of 1.13∗108 s−1cm−2. Secondly, an array of six miniature neutron detectors with different sensitivities was designed and tested. The qualification study in CARROUSEL allowed to show that all detectors behave normally, and that the sensitivity of the detectors increases as a function of the scintillator’s volume at low neutron flux, as expected. The conclusion is limited by the knowledge in effective dimensions of each scintillator. In a first experiment in CROCUS using the same setup, including digital threshold (50), a loss of linearity was observed simultaneously for all detectors at a power ofabout 4W(i.e. 7∗107s−1cm−2). As the cause was expected to be a higher gamma background, the experiment was repeated with a higher threshold (120): consistently with the CARROUSEL test, count rate and loss of linearity depends on the scintillation’s volume. Further studies are needed to conclude on the phenomenon at hand, but since the main parameter for gamma discrimination proved efficient, the gamma contribution increased at higher powers seems a good candidate. In conclusion, the results are globally satisfying for the new methodology with Red Pitaya STEMlab 125-14. However, the experimental campaign of this work was only a feasibility study. The results have to be confirmed with further studies. Moreover, this system could be improved. In particular, it can be adapted firstly for both RF inputs of Red Pitaya and secondly for dynamical measurements. The results of the multi-sized array of miniature neutron detector were also encouraging. However, the behaviour of certain detectors prevent to deduce with certainty some expected trends. Further studies have to be carried out by multiplying the number of detectors of each dimension.

2021

Non-classical photon-phonon correlations at room temperature

Santiago Tarrago Velez

With the development of quantum optics, photon correlations acquired a prominent role as a tool to test our understanding of physics, and played a key role in verifying the validity of quantum mechanics. The spatial and temporal correlations in a light field also reveal information about its origin, and allow us to probe the nature of the physical systems interacting with it. Additionally, with the advent of quantum technologies, they have acquired technological relevance, as they are expected to play an important role in quantum communication and quantum information processing.This thesis develops techniques that combine spontaneous Raman scattering with Time Correlated Single Photon Counting, and uses them to study the quantum mechanical nature of high frequency vibrations in crystals and molecules. We demonstrate photon bunching in the Stokes and anti-Stokes fields scattered from two ultrafast laser pulses, and use their cross-correlation to measure the 3.9 ps decay time of the optical phonon in diamond. We then employ this method to measure molecular vibrations in CS2, where we are able to excite the respective vibrational modes of the two isotopic species present in the sample in a coherent superposition, and observe quantum beating between the two signals. Stokes scattering, when combined with a projective measurement, leads to a well defined quantum state. We demonstrate this by measuring the second order correlation function of the anti-Stokes field conditional on detecting one or more photons in the Stokes field, which allows us to observe a phonon modeâs transition form a thermal state into the first excited Fock state, and measure its decay over the characteristic phonon lifetime. Finally, we use this technique to prepare a highly entangled photon-phonon state, which violates a Bell-type inequality. We measure S = 2.360 Â± 0.025, violating the CHSH inequality, compatible with the non-locality of the state.The techniques we developed open the door to the study of a broad range of physical systems, where spectroscopic information is obtained with the preparation of specific quantum states. They also hold potential for future technological use, and promote vibrational Raman scattering to a resource in nonlinear quantum optics -- where it used to be considered as a source of noise instead.

EPFL2021

Extension of miniature neutron scintillators features in CROCUS: novel acquisition scheme and extended flux range

Colin Rochat

2021

Non-classical photon-phonon correlations at room temperature

Santiago Tarrago Velez

EPFL2021