Ultra-fast heralded single photon source based on telecom technology

TL;DR

This paper reports an ultra-fast, telecom-compatible heralded single photon source at 1540 nm, achieving high heralding rates and efficiency, suitable for secure quantum communication.

Contribution

It introduces a novel, high-rate single photon source using telecom technology with off-the-shelf components, achieving record heralding rates in the MHz regime.

Findings

Heralding rate of 2.1 MHz achieved

Heralding efficiency of 42%

Second-order autocorrelation g^{(2)}(0) as low as 0.023

Abstract

The realization of an ultra-fast source of heralded single photons emitted at the wavelength of 1540 nm is reported. The presented strategy is based on state-of-the-art telecom technology, combined with off-the-shelf fiber components and waveguide non-linear stages pumped by a 10 GHz repetition rate laser. The single photons are heralded at a rate as high as 2.1 MHz with a heralding efficiency of 42%. Single photon character of the source is inferred by measuring the second-order autocorrelation function. For the highest heralding rate, a value as low as 0.023 is found. This not only proves negligible multi-photon contributions but also represents the best measured value reported to date for heralding rates in the MHz regime. These prime performances, associated with a device-like configuration, are key ingredients for both fast and secure quantum communication protocols.