The Thorlabs' SPDC1550N Narrowband Correlated Photon-Pair Source is a turnkey system featuring a single-frequency, integrated 780 nm pump laser and NLCK4 PPKTP nonlinear crystal, generating photon pairs at a rate of >100 000 coincident pairs per second with a heralding ratio of >0.30. The C-band photon-pair output at 1560 nm has a photon bandwidth of <0.25 nm.
The nonlinear crystal is temperature controlled, resulting in a wavelength stability of ±0.1 nm. To tune in and out of degeneracy, the temperature of the nonlinear crystal can be adjusted to change the output photon wavelength by more than 3 nm, as seen in Figure G3.1. For adequate cooling, the unit requires 1" of clearance on all sides.
The pump laser's power and the crystal temperature can be adjusted and monitored directly with the on-unit controls and touchscreen display. Alternatively, a USB 2.0 Type-B port on the back of the unit allows it to be connected to a PC and controlled remotely using the SPDC Software
- >0.30 High Heralding Ratio
- >100 000 Coincident Pairs per Second
- Pump Laser Power Adjustable Up to 40 mW
- ±0.1 nm Wavelength Stability
- <0.25 nm Photon Bandwidth
- 3 nm Wavelength Tuning Range
- Control via the Front Panel or Remotely through USB
Figure The SPDC1550N source can be tuned in and out of degeneracy by adjusting the temperature of the NLCK4 nonlinear crystal.
Thorlabs' Correlated Photon-Pair Sources generate a pair of photons near 810 nm or 1560 nm (C-band). Each source contains an integrated, user-adjustable pump laser for turnkey operation capable of high-brightness photon-pair generation rates. The SPDC810N and SPDC1550N narrowband sources generate photon pairs with 0.25 nm photon bandwidth at a rate of >100 000 coincident pairs per second and a heralding ratio of >0.30. Comparatively, the SPDC810 source generates photon pairs with a broader ~10 nm photon bandwidth but at an increased rate of >450 000 coincident pairs per second and a higher heralding ratio of 0.45.
- Photon-Pair Generation at 810 nm or 1560 nm (C-Band)
- Heralded Photon-Pair Sources with g(2)(τ = 0) < 0.1
- Sources with <0.25 nm or 10 nm Photon Bandwidths
- Model with Coincident Pair Rates >450 000 Per Second
A zero-time-delay second-order correlation function [g(2) (τ = 0)] value of <0.1 can be achieved with these sources, making them ideal for quantum optics applications.
Thorlabs' turnkey SPDC systems are categorized as correlated photon-pair sources, distinct from entangled photon-pair sources. The SPDC process creates photons virtually simultaneously, so that one of the photons can be used to signal (or herald) the existence of the other, making it possible to perform measurements on single photons. For this reason, the signal and idler photons are referred to as a herald (or heralding) and heralded photon, respectively. Photon-pair sources, also known as bi-photon sources, are also distinguished from other technologies used to generate single photons, including weak classical sources like a strongly attenuated laser, single-emitter single photon sources like color centers in diamond, or quantum dots.
All Thorlabs photon pair sources rely on a type-II collinear SPDC process in periodically poled potassium titanyl phosphate (PPKTP) crystals, which are also available individually with suitable mounts, ovens, and temperature control. In each SPDC source, the PPKTP crystal converts individual shorter wavelength photons into pairs of orthogonally polarized longer wavelength photons (the signal and idler) in a single event. The resulting signal and idler photons propagate with orthogonal polarizations.
Features
- Turnkey Spontaneous Parametric Down-Conversion (SPDC) Sources with Integrated Pump Lasers
- Sources Use Periodically Poled Potassium Titanyl Phosphate (PPKTP) Crystals for Collinear Type-II SPDC Output
- Remote Operation via Software
- Two AR-Coated FC/PC to Uncoated FC/PC Patch Cables Included
- Fiber Bulkhead and Connector Cleaners Included
- Please Contact
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Applications:
- Heralded g(2) Measurements
- Absorption Spectroscopy
- Quantum Metrology
- Waveguide Characterization
- Quantum Networks
- Telecom Network Links
- Sub-Shot-Noise Imaging
- 2-Photon Interference
- Single-Photon Sensor Characterization
- Quantum Key Distribution
- Quantum Time Transfer
| Table 1.1 Key Specifications | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item # | SPDC810 | SPDC810N | SPDC1550N |
| Operating Wavelength | 810 ± 2 nm | 810 ± 1 nm | 1560 ± 1 nm |
| Photon Bandwidth | ~10 nm | <0.25 nm | |
| Heralding Ratio, ηsia | >0.45 | >0.30 | |
| Max Coincident Pairs/Second | >450 000 | >100 000 | |