Nonlinear frequency up-conversion for mid-infrared single-photon detection

Yingxin Bai; Jirong Yu; Norman P. Barnes; Songsheng Chen; Mulugeta Petros; Hyung R. Lee

doi:10.1117/12.579287

12 January 2005 Nonlinear frequency up-conversion for mid-infrared single-photon detection

Yingxin Bai, Jirong Yu, Norman P. Barnes, Songsheng Chen, Mulugeta Petros, Hyung R. Lee

Proceedings Volume 5653, Lidar Remote Sensing for Industry and Environmental Monitoring V; (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.579287
Event: Fourth International Asia-Pacific Environmental Remote Sensing Symposium 2004: Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere, Ocean, Environment, and Space, 2004, Honolulu, Hawai'i, United States

Abstract

Remote sensing using mid-infrared wavelength has many applications in pollution surveillance and atmosphere studies. However, high gain, low noise detectors or single photon counters are not available in the mid-infrared wavelength range. One approach to obtain single-photon detection in mid-infrared wavelength is to convert the mid-infrared radiations into visible/near-infrared wavelengths where high efficiency and low dark current detectors are easily available. In this paper, the up-conversion of mid-infrared radiations based on the quasi-phase matching condition of periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) is investigated. The bandwidth and efficiency are the two essential parameters for the up-conversion process. The optimal pump wavelength λ_laser^o and PPLN period Λ can be determined from conservations of energy and momentum. Once the λ_laser^o and Λ are defined, the spectral bandwidth corresponding to the full width at half maximum of frequency up-conversion can be calculated. The spectral bandwidth of mid-infrared radiations can exceed 130 nm for a 25 mm PPLN crystal when the pump laser operates in the optimum wavelength. It is wide enough to cover both the on and off wavelengths of the species of interest in a Differential Absorption Lidar. The maximum up-conversion bandwidth usually corresponds to the longest PPLN period allowed by the quasi-phase matching condition. The conversion efficiency increases with the pump laser intensity. Both the external cavity pumping approach with cavity locking technique and the intra-cavity pumping approach can greatly increase the up-conversion efficiency.

Citation Download Citation

Yingxin Bai, Jirong Yu, Norman P. Barnes, Songsheng Chen, Mulugeta Petros, and Hyung R. Lee "Nonlinear frequency up-conversion for mid-infrared single-photon detection", Proc. SPIE 5653, Lidar Remote Sensing for Industry and Environmental Monitoring V, (12 January 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.579287

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