Coincidence detection of spatially correlated photon pairs with a monolithic time-resolving detector array

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the use of a novel monolithic silicon photomultiplier array for coincidence detection of spatially entangled photon pairs, achieving high temporal resolution and frame rate, surpassing traditional cameras.

Contribution

Introduces a fully digital multi-pixel detector array capable of time-stamped photon counting for entangled photon detection, with improved temporal resolution and frame rate.

Findings

Successful measurement of second-order correlation functions

Comparison of experimental results with theoretical predictions

Enhanced detection capabilities over conventional cameras

Abstract

We demonstrate coincidence measurements of spatially entangled photons by means of a novel type of multi-pixel based detection array. The adopted sensor is a fully digital 8$\times$16 silicon photomultiplier array allowing not only photon counting but also per-pixel time stamping of the arrived photons with a resolution of 65 ps. Together with a frame rate of 500 kfps, this property exceeds the capabilities of conventional charge-coupled device cameras which have become of growing interest for the detection of transversely correlated photon pairs. The sensor is used to measure a second-order correlation function for various non-collinear configurations of entangled photons generated by spontaneous parametric down-conversion. The experimental results are compared to theory.