NIST has developed a new spectrometer technology that precisely characterizes the spectral properties of single-photon light sources using an atomic cesium vapor cell. The direct absolute spectrometer provides a direct and absolute determination of the linewidth and wavelength of single photon light, making it an essential tool for spectral characterization in future quantum communication systems.
The spectrometer achieves a spectral resolution of better than 150 kHz, an absolute wavelength accuracy of within 50 kHz, and an exceptional detection sensitivity suitable for optical signals as weak as −117 dBm. This is significantly better than current main spectrometers, which are based on dispersive optical elements and limit resolution to GHz.
The use of an atomic vapor cell based on electromagnetically-induced transparency (EIT) enables the precise measurement of spectral properties with high spectral resolution, wavelength accuracy, and detection sensitivity. This invention has the potential to revolutionize the field of quantum communication systems by providing a more efficient and accurate method for spectral characterization.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/patents/direct-absolute-spectrometer-direct-absolute-spectrometry
Keywords: Spectral, Resolution, Quantum, Measurement, Wavelength
