Ultrafast single-photon detection based on optical Kerr gates at GHz rates

Abstract

The ultrafast detection of single photons is currently restricted by the limited time resolution (a few picoseconds) of the available single-photon detectors. Optical gates offer a faster time resolution, but so far they have been mostly applied to ensembles of emitters. Here, we demonstrate through a semi-analytical model that the ultrafast time-resolved detection of single quantum emitters can be possible using an optical-Kerr-shutter (OKS) at GHz rates under focused illumination. This technique provides sub-picosecond time resolution, while keeping a gate efficiency at around 85 \%. These findings lay the ground for future experimental investigations on the ultrafast dynamics of single quantum emitters, with implications for quantum nanophotonics and molecular physics

5 pages, 4 figures