학술논문
Quantum dynamics of single-photon detection using functionalized quantum transport electronic channels
Document Type
Working Paper
Author
Source
Phys. Rev. Research 1, 013018 (2019)
Subject
Language
Abstract
Single photon detectors have historically consisted of macroscopic-sized materials but recent experimental and theoretical progress suggests new approaches based on nanoscale and molecular electronics. Here we present a theoretical study of photodetection in a system composed of a quantum electronic transport channel functionalized by a photon absorber. Notably, the photon field, absorption process, transduction mechanism, and measurement process are all treated as part of one fully-coupled quantum system, with explicit interactions. Using non-equilibrium, time-dependent quantum transport simulations, we reveal the unique temporal signatures of the single photon detection process, and show that the system can be described using optical Bloch equations, with a new non-linearity as a consequence of time-dependent detuning caused by the backaction from the transport channel via the dynamical Stark effect. We compute the photodetector signal-to-noise ratio and demonstrate that single photon detection at high count rate is possible for realistic parameters by exploiting a novel non-equilibrium control of backaction.
Comment: 12 pages, 8 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev. Research
Comment: 12 pages, 8 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev. Research