Photodetection plays a key role in basic science and technology, with exquisite performance having been achieved down to the single photon level. Further improvements would open new possibilities across a broad range of scientific disciplines, and enable new types of applications. However, it is still unclear what is possible in terms of ultimate performance, and what properties are needed to achieve such performance. Here, we present a general modeling framework for photodetectors whereby the photon field, the absorption process, and the amplification process are all treated as one coupled quantum system. The formalism naturally handles field states with single or multiple photons as well as a variety of detector configurations, and includes a mathematical definition of ideal photodetector performance. The framework reveals how specific photodetector architectures introduce limitations and tradeoffs for various performance metrics, providing guidance for optimization and design.

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Francois Leonard, Steve Young, and Mohan Sarovar, "General modeling framework for quantum photodetectors (Conference Presentation)," Proc. SPIE 10978, Advanced Photon Counting Techniques XIII, 109780G (Presented at SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing: April 18, 2019; Published: 14 May 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2519480.6036132818001.