Comparison of architectures for approximating number-resolving photo-detection using non-number-resolving detectors

TL;DR

This paper compares various architectures for approximating number-resolving photo-detection with non-number-resolving detectors, analyzing their effectiveness based on detector parameters to guide experimental choices.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis and comparison of different schemes, offering a method to select optimal detection topology based on detector characteristics.

Findings

Ideal architecture depends on detector dark count and efficiency.

Guidelines for choosing detection topology based on experimental parameters.

Comprehensive reference for experimentalists in quantum optics.

Abstract

Number-resolving photo-detection is necessary for many quantum optics experiments, especially in the application of entangled state preparation. Several schemes have been proposed for approximating number-resolving photo-detection using non-number-resolving detectors. Such techniques include multi-port detection and time-division multiplexing. We provide a detailed analysis and comparison of different number-resolving detection schemes, with a view to creating a useful reference for experimentalists. We show that the ideal architecture for projective measurements is a function of the detector's dark count and efficiency parameters. We also describe a process for selecting an appropriate topology given actual experimental component parameters.