Proposal for calibration of a single-photon counting detector without the need of input photon flux calibration. (4th April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gerrits, Thomas
• Is Part Of: Journal of optics. Volume 18:Number 5(2016:May)
• Publication Date: 2016-04-04
• Subjects: single-photon detector calibration -- waveguide-coupled single-photon detectors -- superconducting single-photon detectors; 85.25.Oj -- 85.60.Gz -- 42.82.Et; Optics -- Periodicals; 535.05
• DOI: 10.1088/2040-8978/18/5/054014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-8978

Abstract

Abstract: A method for calibration of single-photon detectors without the need of input photon flux calibration is presented. The method relies on the use of waveguide-coupled single photon detectors and a series of photon-counting measurements using a single-photon source. It is shown that the method can yield relative uncertainties of less than 1% including counting statistics and fiber splice loss uncertainties with a total measurement time of about 1 h under the assumptions that the fractional losses of the waveguide-coupled detectors are known or zero and the loss along the waveguide is constant. It is also shown that the fractional losses of the waveguide-coupled detectors can be determined if they are equal. However, in this case an input photon flux calibration is required.