Teaching about photodetection noise sources in the laboratory

Lionel Jacubowiez; Jean-Francois Roch; Jean-Philippe Poizat; Philippe Grangier

doi:10.1117/12.294378

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8 December 1997 Teaching about photodetection noise sources in the laboratory

Lionel Jacubowiez, Jean-Francois Roch, Jean-Philippe Poizat, Philippe Grangier

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Proceedings Volume 3190, Fifth International Topical Meeting on Education and Training in Optics; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.294378
Event: Fifth International Topical Meeting on Education and Training in Optics, 1997, Delft, Netherlands

Abstract

We describe simple experiments that allow students to observe, identify, understand and measure different noise sources always present in photodetection systems: amplifier noise, thermal resistance noise (Johnson noise), and photon noise (shot-noise). With a suitable low noise amplifier and a commercial photodiode, students can verify the dependence of photon noise versus light level. This photon shot-noise is directly related to the quantum << nature >> of light and it has long been considered as a fundamental limitation of the optical photodetection systems. It is sometimes mistakenly described as due to the detector itself. We show that it is possible, with fairly affordable laboratory teaching equipment, to measure a photocurrent with a noise power below the shot-noise level using a suitable light source. More precisely, using a photodiode and a high-quantum-efficiency light-emitting diode driven by a constant current source, we can observe a reduction of the photon noise power of about 0.8 dB below the shot-noise level.

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Lionel Jacubowiez, Jean-Francois Roch, Jean-Philippe Poizat, and Philippe Grangier "Teaching about photodetection noise sources in the laboratory", Proc. SPIE 3190, Fifth International Topical Meeting on Education and Training in Optics, (8 December 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.294378

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KEYWORDS

Photodetectors

Optical amplifiers

Photodiodes

Light emitting diodes

Light sources

Resistance

Sensors

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