NIST scientists have developed the world’s most efficient single photon detector, capable of counting individual particles of light with 99% accuracy. The detector uses a superconducting material cooled to near absolute zero, which changes electrical resistance when struck by a photon. This allows precise detection of even single photons without false positives.
The detector’s high efficiency is valuable for secure communications, quantum computing, and quantum optical experiments. It’s particularly useful for detecting missing photons in data transmissions, which could help secure long-distance communications against interception.
The team is currently working on calibration techniques to fully utilize the detector’s capabilities and plans to present their findings at the SPIE Symposium in April 2010.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2010/04/nist-detector-counts-photons-99-percent-efficiency
Keywords: Single Photon Detector, Quantum Optics, Photodetectors, Optical Power, Quantum Efficiency
