NIST researchers are developing a new method to generate and count specific numbers of photons with high accuracy, which could have numerous applications in fields like environmental monitoring, astronomy, and quantum metrology. The method exploits a quantum-mechanical phenomenon called spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC), where a single photon entering a nonlinear crystal can be converted into two daughter photons. By trapping one of the photons in a cavity and counting the other, the system can generate a precise number of photons. The team has simulated the design and found it could reduce uncertainty in emitted photon number by a factor of two compared to classic limits. They are now working on building a working model.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2014/09/photons-numbers
Keywords: Photons, quantum fluctuations, uncertainty, detection, accuracy, precision, measurement, counting, fluctuations, noise, optical, laser, crystal, cavity, mirrors, detector, analysis, statistical, photon number
