Feasibility Study of a Quantum-Interference Infrared Photon Detector
Abstract
We performed a theoretical feasibility study of a conceptually new infrared photon detector. The operational principle of the detector is based on a 3-level quantum coherence effect. The study involved 3-level quantum coherence effects with incoherent (thermal) light in semiconductor quantum dots and the optimization of the detected signal. We were mainly concerned with one specific design concept, namely the one based on an interferometric waveguide geometry. The infrared light couples the two lowest conduction band states in the quantum dot, and an auxiliary coherent laser light beam couples the valence band states with one of the conduction band states. We have performed detailed theoretical studies of the noise properties of the detector. Specifically, we have investigated the noise due to vacuum fluctuations of the infrared light in the interferometer. We have also studied the temperature dependence of the noise equivalent power. An estimate of the normalized detectivity D* at room temperature yields 5 X 10^6 cm sqrt(Hz)/Watts.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 24, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA429101
Entities
People
- Nai H. Kwong
- Rudolf Binder
Organizations
- University of Arizona