Nondestructive Detection of an Optical Photon
Abstract
All optical detectors to date annihilate photons upon detection, thus excluding repeated measurements. Here, we demonstrate a robust photon detection scheme that does not rely on absorption. Instead, an incoming photon is reflected from an optical resonator containing a single atom prepared in a superposition of two states. The reflection toggles the superposition phase, which is then measured to trace the photon. Characterizing the device with faint laser pulses, a single-photon detection efficiency of 74% and a survival probability of 66% are achieved. The efficiency can be further increased by observing the photon repeatedly. The large single-photon nonlinearity of the experiment should enable the development of photonic quantum gates and the preparation of exotic quantum states of light.
- Publication:
-
Science
- Pub Date:
- December 2013
- DOI:
- 10.1126/science.1246164
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1311.3625
- Bibcode:
- 2013Sci...342.1349R
- Keywords:
-
- PHYSICS Physics, Applied-Physics, Engineering;
- Quantum Physics
- E-Print:
- published online in Science Express, 14 November 2013