MODIFICATION OF ABSORPTION SPECTRUM OF GaAs/AlGaAs QUANTUM WELL INFRARED PHOTODETECTOR BY POSTGROWTH ADJUSTMENT

Quantum well intermixing techniques modify the geometric shape of quantum wells to allow postgrowth adjustments.The tuning effect on the optical response property of a GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well infrared photodetector(QWIP) induced by the interdifussion of Al atoms was studied theoretically.By assuming an improvement of the heterointerface quality and an enhanced Al interdiffusion caused by postgrowth intermixings,the photoluminescence spectrum shows a blue-shifted,narrower and enhanced photoluminescence peak.The infrared optical absorption spectrum also shows the expected redshift of the response wavelength.However,the variation in the absorption peak intensity depends on the boundary conditions of the photo generated carriers.For high-quality QWIP samples,the mean free path of photocarriers is long so that the photocarriers are largely coherent when they transport across quantum wells.In this case,the enhanced Al interdiffusion can significantly degrade the infrared absorption property of the QWIP.Special effects are therefore needed to maintain and/or improve the optical properties of the QWIP device during postgrowth treatments.

Atom interferometers with weak-measurement path detectors and their quantum mechanical analysis

According to the orthodox interpretation of quantum physics, wave-particle duality(WPD) is the intrinsic property of all massive microscopic particles. All gedanken or realistic experiments based on atom interferometers(AI) have so far upheld the principle of WPD, either by the mechanism of the Heisenberg’s position-momentum uncertainty relation or by quantum entanglement. In this paper, we propose and make a systematic quantum mechanical analysis of several schemes of weak-measurement atom interferometer(WM-AI) and compare them with the historical schemes of strongmeasurement atom interferometer(SM-AI), such as Einstein’s recoiling slit and Feynman’s light microscope. As the critical part of these WM-AI setups, a weak-measurement path detector(WM-PD) deliberately interacting with the atomic internal electronic quantum states is designed and used to probe the which-path information of the atom, while only inducing negligible perturbation of the atomic center-of-mass motion. Another instrument that is used to directly interact with the atomic center-of-mass while being insensitive to the internal electronic quantum states is used to monitor the atomic centerof-mass interference pattern. Two typical schemes of WM-PD are considered. The first is the micromaser-cavity path detector, which allows us to probe the spontaneously emitted microwave photon from the incoming Rydberg atom in its excited electronic state and record unanimously the which-path information of the atom. The second is the optical-lattice Bragg-grating path detector, which can split the incoming atom beam into two different directions as determined by the internal electronic state and thus encode the which-path information of the atom into the internal states of the atom. We have used standard quantum mechanics to analyze the evolution of the atomic center-of-mass and internal electronic state wave function by directly solving Schr¨odinger’s equation for the composite atom-electron-photon system in these WM-AIs. We have also compared our analysis with the theoretical and experimental studies that have been presented in the previous literature. The results show that the two sets of instruments can work separately, collectively, and without mutual exclusion to enable simultaneous observation of both wave and particle nature of the atoms to a much higher level than the historical SM-AIs, while avoiding degradation from Heisenberg’s uncertainty relation and quantum entanglement. We have further investigated the space–time evolution of the internal electronic quantum state, as well as the combined atom–detector system and identified the microscopic origin and role of quantum entanglement, as emphasized in numerous previous studies. Based on these physics insights and theoretical analyses, we have proposed several new WM-AI schemes that can help to elucidate the puzzling physics of the WPD of the atoms. The principle of WM-AI scheme and quantum mechanical analyses made in this work can be directly extended to examine the principle of WPD for other massive particles.

Time-Bin Phase-Encoding Measurement-Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution with Four Single-Photon Detectors

Measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution （MDI-QKD） eliminates all loopholes on detection. 3 loss in the final key for the Previous experiments of time-bin phase-encoding MDI-QKD allow a factor of incapability of identifying two successive detection events by a single photon detector. Here we propose a new scheme to realize the time-bin phase-encoding MDI-QKD. The polarization states are used to generate the time bins and the phase-encoding states. The factor of loss in the final key is eliminated by using four single photon detectors at the measurement site. We show the feasibility of our scheme with a proof-of-principle experimental demonstration. The phase reference frame is rotated extremely slowly with only passive stabilization measures. The quantum bit error rate can reach 0.8% in the Z-basis and 26.2% in the X-basis.

Optimization of a solar-blind and middle infrared two-colour photodetector using GaN-based bulk material and quantum wells

This paper calculates the wavelengths of the interband transitions as a function of the Al mole fraction of AlxGa1-xN bulk materml. It is finds that when the Al mole fraction is between 0.456 and 0.639, the wavelengths correspond to the solar-blind （250 nm to 280 nm）. The influence of the structure parameters of AlyGa1-yN/GaN quantum wells on the wavelength and absorption coefficient of intersubband transitions has been investigated by solving the SchrSdinger and Poisson equations self-consistently. The Al mole fraction of the AlyGa1-yN barrier changes from 0.30 to 0.46, meanwhile the w;dth of the well changes from 2.9 nm to 2.2 am, for maximal intersubband absorption in the window of the air （3μm 〈 A 〈 5μm）. The absorption coefficient of the intersubband transition between the ground state and the first excited state decreases with the increase of the wavelength. The results are finally used to discuss the prospects of GaN-based bulk material and quantum wells for a solar-blind and middle infrared two-colour photodetector.

Resonant cavity-enhanced quantum dot field-effect transistor as a single-photon detector

A resonant cavity-enhanced （RCE） quantum dot （QD） field-effect transistor （RCEQDFET） is designed for single- photon detection in this paper. Adding distributed Bragg reflection （DBR） mirrors to the single-photon detector （SPD）, we improve the light absorption efficiency of the SPD. The effects of the reflectivity of the mirrors, the thickness and light absorption coefficient of the absorbing layer on the detector＇s light absorption efficiency are investigated, and the resonant cavity is determined by using the air/semiconductor interface as the mirror on the top. Through analyzing the relationship between the refractive index of AlxGal_xAs and A1 component, we choose A1As/Alo.15Gao.85As as the material of the mirror on the bottom. The pairs of A1As/Alo.15Gao.85As film are further determined to be 21 by calculating the reflectivity of the mirror. The detector is fabricated from semiconductor heterostructures grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The reflection spectrum, photoluminescence （PL） spectrum, photocurrent response, and channel current of the detector are tested and the results show that the RCEQDFET-SPD designed in this paper has better performances in photonic response and wavelength selection.

Quantum Coupling Effect between Quantum Dot and Quantum Well in a Resonant Tunneling Photon-Number-Resolving Detector

Excited states of lnAs quantum dots （QDs） can be energetically coupled with the confined level of OaAs quantum wells （QWs） in a thin-barrier resonant tunneling diode （RTD）. Single charge variation in the coupled QD can effectively switch on/off the resonant tunneling current passing through RTD, not only for emcient single-photon detection but also for photon-number-resolving detection. We present the study of the Q,D-QW coupling effect in the quantum dot coupled resonant tunneling diode （QD-cRTD） and figure out important factors for further improving the detector performance.

Passive decoy state SARG04 quantum-key-distribution with practical photon-number resolving detectors

SARG04 protocol has its advantages in defending photon number splitting attack, benefited from two-photon pulses part. In this paper, we present a passive decoy state SARG04 scheme combining with practical photon number resolving （PNR） detectors. Two kinds of practical detectors, transition-edge sensor and time-multiplexing detector, are taken into consideration. Theoretical analysis shows that both of them are compatible with the passive decoy state SARG04. Compared with the original SARG04, two detectors can boost the key generation rate and maximal secure distance obviously. Meanwhile, the result shows that quantum efficiency and dark count of the detector influence the maximal distance slightly, which indicates the prospect of implementation in real quantum key distribution system with imperfect practical PNS detectors.

Mid/far-infrared photo-detectors based on graphene asymmetric quantum wells

We conducted a theoretical study on the electronic properties of a single-layer graphene asymmetric quantum well.Quantification of energy levels is limited by electron–hole conversion at the barrier interfaces and free-electron continuum.Electron–hole conversion at the barrier interfaces can be controlled by introducing an asymmetry between barriers and taking into account the effect of the interactions of the graphene sheet with the substrate.The interaction with the substrate induces an effective mass to carriers,allowing observation of Fabry–P′erot resonances under normal incidence and extinction of Klein tunneling.The asymmetry,between barriers creates a transmission gap between confined states and free-electron continuum,allowing the large graphene asymmetric quantum well to be exploited as a photo-detector operating at mid-and far-infrared frequency regimes.

Passive round-robin differential-quadrature-phase-shift quantum key distribution scheme with untrusted detectors

In this paper, we proposed the scheme for a passive round-robin differential-phase-shift quantum key distribution（RRDPS-QKD） set-up based on the principle of Hong–Ou–Mandel interference. Our scheme requires two legitimate parties to prepare their signal state with two different non-orthogonal bases instead of single in original protocol. Incorporating this characteristic, we establish the level of security of our protocol under the intercept-resend attack and demonstrate its detector-flaw-immune feature. Furthermore, we show that our scheme not only inherits the merit of better tolerance of bit errors and finite-sized-key effects but can be implemented using hardware similar to the measurement device independent QKD（MDI-QKD）. This ensures good compatibility with the current commonly used quantum system.

40 K双波段长波探测器冷箱封装技术研究

冷光学技术是弱目标及多光谱红外探测的重要支撑技术。为了实现低温光学系统温度精确控制和防污染,一般多将低温光学与探测器集成在冷箱内。某高光谱相机需要1个320×64量子阱探测器和1个320×64 II类超晶格探测器共面拼接,集成双波段微型滤光片,形成长波双波段探测杜瓦组件,探测器工作所需的40 K低温环境由脉管制冷机提供。杜瓦采用无窗口设计,并通过柔性波纹管将杜瓦外壳与冷箱外壳集成,以实现气密性集成和光校调节。针对40 K温区双波段探测器封装的三维拼接、探测器及滤光片的低应力封装、制冷机与探测器的高效热传输等难点,对探测器的三维拼接、40 K温区高效热传输、探测器低应力集成的热层结构、低应力滤光片支撑、杜瓦与制冷机耦合等进行研究,创新性提出了三点Z向调节拼接方法、探测器Al2O3载体复合钼基板和钼冷平台的热层结构、双波段滤光片集成的钼支撑结构、带应力隔离的冷平台与制冷机过盈装配的耦合方法,最终实现了40 K温区下双波段探测器平面度优于±2.06μm(RMS)、探测器的低温应力小于22.06 MPa、双波段滤光片低温形变小于8.55μm、探测器与制冷机温度梯度为2.6 K。40 K长波双波段红外探测器冷箱杜瓦组件经过2000 h通电老练和300次开关机试验验证,试验前后组件性能未发生明显变化,满足工程化应用的要求。

量子级联技术研究进展:从光源到探测

量子级联技术基于多量子阱或超晶格结构中的子带跃迁和共振隧穿理论,既可以产生光源,又可以探测光信号,是量子级联激光器(QCL)和量子级联探测器(QCD)的理论基石,在检测、遥感、通信、雷达等领域具有广泛的应用前景。经过最近三十年的研究,量子级联技术在基础研究、产品性能以及应用系统研发和场景试验方面都取得了重大进展。本文首先简要介绍了量子级联技术的原理和发展历史,随后阐述了量子级联器件子带能级结构和电子输运动力学计算思路,接着重点综述了量子级联技术的研究进展,包括中远红外高功率QCL、中远红外宽调谐QCL、太赫兹QCL、高性能QCD,以及QCL和QCD的单芯片光子集成方面的内容,最后介绍了QCL和QCD的产品与应用情况。

Very long wave infrared quantum cascade detector based on modular band structure

The optoelectronic performance of quantum cascade detectors(QCDs)is highly sensitive to the design of the energy level structure,leading to the inability of a single structure to achieve broad wavelength tuning.To address this issue,we propose and demonstrate a modular concept for very long wave infrared(VLWIR)QCDs based on a miniband diagonal transition scheme.The modular design makes the wavelength tuning only need to be adjusted for the absorption quantum well module rather than for the whole active region.Theoretical simulation shows that the wavelength tuning range is 39.6 meV(~14–30μm).To prove the feasibility of the scheme,three samples with different absorption well widths were fabricated and characterized.At 10 K,the response wavelengths of the three QCDs are 14,16,and 18μm,respectively,corresponding to responsivities and detectivities exceeding 2 mA/W and 1×10^(10)Jones.

一款多色叠层量子阱红外探测器的读出电路设计

一款完整的红外焦平面探测器主要包含探测器件、读出电路、封装结构和制冷组件。目前根据不同应用场景,探测波段范围不断变宽、探测灵敏度需求提高、成像速度要求加快,对探测器设计提出了更严格、更复杂的指标要求。其中,读出电路将探测光信号转换为电信号传输至系统,是探测器组件的关键核心模块。本文设计了一款对应多色叠层量子阱型器件的红外焦平面探测器读出电路,能够实现同时间、同空间对四波段信号进行探测,并且同时读出,四波段信号的探测积分与读出之间没有互相干扰。探测器规格640×512,像元间距50μm(四波段),各波段信号可实现分时积分、分别可调,采用边积分边读出工作模式,读出帧频可达到四波段探测时≥50 Hz,电路噪声≤0.5 mV,动态范围≥70 dB,电功耗≤600 mW,是一款超大规模低噪声高帧频的高性能读出电路。

Pulse-gated mode of commercial superconducting nanowire single photon detectors

High detection efficiency and low intrinsic dark count rate are two advantages of superconducting nanowire single photon detectors(SNSPDs).However,the stray photons penetrated into the fiber would cause the extrinsic dark count rate,owing to the free running mode of SNSPDs.In order to improve the performance of SNSPDs in realistic scenarios,stray photons should be investigated and suppression methods should be adopted.In this study,we demonstrate the pulsegated mode,with 500 kHz gating frequency,of a commercial SNSPD system for suppressing the response of stray photons about three orders of magnitude than its free-running counterpart on the extreme test conditions.When we push the gating frequency to 8 MHz,the dark count rate still keeps under 4% of free-running mode.In experiments,the intrinsic dark count rate is also suppressed to 4.56 × 10^(-2) counts per second with system detection efficiency of 76.4372%.Furthermore,the time-correlated single-photon counting analysis also approves the validity of our mode in suppressing the responses of stray photons.

InGaAs/InP高速正弦门控单光子探测器后脉冲抑制方案

基于量子力学基本原理的量子密钥分发(QKD)系统具有信息论安全的水平,单光子探测器是QKD系统的重要组成,其后脉冲对QKD系统的安全成码率和安全成码距离均有重要影响。文中根据InGaAs/InP高速正弦门控探测器的后脉冲概率随时间呈现指数递减分布的规律,提出了一种基于时间测量的后脉冲抑制方案,采用“Start-Stop型”时间间隔测量方式对探测脉冲进行测量,通过对探测事件进行时间标记并舍弃一段时长内探测脉冲的方法降低了后脉冲概率。实际验证了某型号单光子探测器的后脉冲概率随舍弃时长的关系,在500 ns舍弃时长条件下,后脉冲概率2.46%,增加舍弃时长至5μs可降低后脉冲至2%以下。同时,分析了100 ns舍弃时长条件下的典型探测脉冲计数分布,指出了主要后脉冲分布区域以及未过甄别阈值的雪崩脉冲引起的后脉冲机理。进一步地,指出基于时间测量方式区分探测脉冲的到达时间不仅可用于降低单光子探测的后脉冲概率,还可以根据探测脉冲的到达时间识别雪崩过渡区攻击事件、门外攻击事件,从而丢弃被攻击区域的探测脉冲来提升QKD系统抗量子黑客攻击的能力,可支撑高速正弦门控单光子探测器应用于实用化的QKD系统。

Monte-Carlo simulation to determine detector efficiency of plastic scintillating fiber

Fundamental characteristics of the plastic scintillating fiber (PSF) as a detector for electromagnetic radiation (X & γ) are obtained by GEANT4 detector simulation tool package. The detector response to radiation with energy of 10~400 keV is found out. Energy deposition as well as detector efficiency (DE) of the PSF are studied. In order to make linear array of the PSF for imaging purpose, the optimum length of fiber is also estimated.

Image quality evaluation of linear plastic scintillating fiber array detector for X-ray imaging

It is important to assess image quality, in order to ensure that the imaging system is performing optimally and also identify the weak points in an imaging system. Three parameters mostly leading to image degradation are contrast, spatial resolution and noise. There is always a trade-off between spatial resolution and signal to noise ratio, but in scintillating fiber array detectors spatial resolution is not as important as signal to noise ratio, so we paid more attention to contrast and SNR of the system. By using GEANT4 Monte Carlo detector simulation toolkit, some effec- tive parameters of the linear plastic scintillating fiber (PSF) array as an imaging detector were investigated. Finally we show that it is possible to use this kind of detector to take CT and DR (Digital Radiography) image under certain conditions.

Countermeasure against probabilistic blinding attack in practical quantum key distribution systems

In a practical quantum key distribution（QKD） system, imperfect equipment, especially the single-photon detector,can be eavesdropped on by a blinding attack. However, the original blinding attack may be discovered by directly detecting the current. In this paper, we propose a probabilistic blinding attack model, where Eve probabilistically applies a blinding attack without being caught by using only an existing intuitive countermeasure. More precisely, our countermeasure solves the problem of how to define the bound in the limitation of precision of current detection, and then we prove security of the practical system by considering the current parameter. Meanwhile, we discuss the bound of the quantum bit error rate（QBER） introduced by Eve, by which Eve can acquire information without the countermeasure.

Controlling a sine wave gating single-photon detector by exploiting its filtering loophole

GHz single-photon detector （SPD） is a crucial part in the practical high speed quantum key distribution （QKD） system. However, any imperfections in a practical QKD system may be exploited by an eavesdropper （Eve） to collect information about the key without being discovered. The sine wave gating SPD （SG-SPD） based on InGaAs/InP avalanche photodiode, one kind of practical high speed SPD, may also contain loopholes. In this paper, we study the principle and characteristic of the SG-SPD and find out the filtering loophole of the SG-SPD for the first time. What is more, the proof-of-principle experiment shows that Eve could blind and control Bob＇s SG-SPD by exploiting this loophole. We believe that giving enough attention to this loophole can improve the practical security of the existing QKD system. GHz single-photon detector （SPD） is a crucial part in the practical high speed quantum key distribution （QKD） system. However, any imperfections in a practical QKD system may be exploited by an eavesdropper （Eve） to collect information about the key without being discovered. The sine wave gating SPD （SG-SPD） based on InGaAs/InP avalanche photodiode, one kind of practical high speed SPD, may also contain loopholes. In this paper, we study the principle and characteristic of the SG-SPD and find out the filtering loophole of the SG-SPD for the first time. What is more, the proof-of-principle experiment shows that Eve could blind and control Bob＇s SG-SPD by exploiting this loophole. We believe that giving enough attention to this loophole can improve the practical security of the existing QKD system.

The analysis of the integral gated mode single photon detector

This paper critically analyses and simulates the circuit configuration of the integral gated mode single photon detector which is proposed for eliminating the transient spikes problem of conventional gated mode single photon detector. The relationship between the values of the circuit elements and the effect of transient spikes cancellation has been obtained. With particular emphasis, the bias voltage of the avalanche photodiode and the output signal voltage of the integrator have been calculated. The obtained analysis results indicate that the output signal voltage of the integrator only relates to the total quantity of electricity of the avalanche charges by choosing the correct values of the circuit elements and integral time interval. These results can be used to optimize the performance of single photon detectors and provide guides for the design of single photon detectors.