Detection of ultra-weak laser pulses by free-running single-photon detectors: modeling dead time and dark counts effects
arXiv:2104.08004 · doi:10.1063/5.0046014
Abstract
In quantum communication systems, the precise estimation of the detector's response to the incoming light is necessary to avoid security breaches. The typical working regime uses a free-running single-photon avalanche diode in combination with attenuated laser pulses at telecom wavelength for encoding information. We demonstrate the validity of an analytical model for this regime which considers the effects of dark counts and dead time on the measured count rate. For the purpose of gaining a better understanding of these effects, the photon detections were separated from the dark counts via a software-induced gating mechanism. The model was verified by experimental data for mean photon numbers covering three orders of magnitude as well as for laser repetition frequencies below and above the inverse dead time. Consequently, our model would be of interest for predicting the detector response not only in the field of quantum communications, but also in any other quantum physics experiment where high detection rates are needed.
References in corpus (28)
- Quantum Cryptography
- Advances in Quantum Cryptography
- Field test of quantum key distribution in the Tokyo QKD Network
- Hacking commercial quantum cryptography systems by tailored bright illumination
- Provably Secure and Practical Quantum Key Distribution over 307 km of Optical Fibre
- Full-field implementation of a perfect eavesdropper on a quantum cryptography system
- Advances in InGaAs/InP single-photon detector systems for quantum communication
- Long term performance of the SwissQuantum quantum key distribution network in a field environment
- Experimental demonstration of phase-remapping attack in a practical quantum key distribution system
- Gigahertz decoy quantum key distribution with 1 Mbit/s secure key rate
- Metropolitan all-pass and inter-city quantum communication network
- After-gate attack on a quantum cryptosystem
- Photon counting for quantum key distribution with Peltier cooled InGaAs/InP APD's
- Laser damage helps the eavesdropper in quantum cryptography
- Controlling a superconducting nanowire single-photon detector using tailored bright illumination
- The breakdown flash of Silicon Avalance Photodiodes - backdoor for eavesdropper attacks?
- Superlinear threshold detectors in quantum cryptography
- Testing random-detector-efficiency countermeasure in a commercial system reveals a breakable unrealistic assumption
- Controlling an actively-quenched single photon detector with bright light
- Backflash light characterization to prevent QKD zero-error hacking
- Megabits secure key rate quantum key distribution
- Eavesdropping and countermeasures for backflash side channel in quantum cryptography
- Hacking the quantum key distribution system by exploiting the avalanche transition region of single photon detectors
- An application of two photon entangled states to quantum metrology
- Detector dead-time effects and paralyzability in high-speed quantum key distribution
- Detection of ultra-weak laser pulses by free-running single-photon detectors: modeling dead time and dark counts effects
- Breakdown flash at telecom wavelengths in InGaAs avalanche photodiodes
- Backflashes in fast-gated avalanche photodiodes in quantum key distribution
Cited by in corpus (4)
- Recent advances in InGaAs/InP single-photon detectors
- Detection of ultra-weak laser pulses by free-running single-photon detectors: modeling dead time and dark counts effects
- Unexpected detection rate dependence of the intrinsic detection efficiency in single-photon detectors based on avalanche diodes
- Measuring photon correlation using imperfect detectors