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Femtosecond Photon-Counting ReceiverAn optical correlation receiver is described that provides ultra-precise distance and/or time/pulse-width measurements even for weak (single photons) and short (femtosecond) optical signals. A new type of optical correlation receiver uses a fourth-order (intensity) interferometer to provide micron distance measurements even for weak (single photons) and short (femtosecond) optical signals. The optical correlator uses a low-noise-integrating detector that can resolve photon number. The correlation (range as a function of path delay) is calculated from the variance of the photon number of the difference of the optical signals on the two detectors. Our preliminary proof-of principle data (using a short-pulse diode laser transmitter) demonstrates tens of microns precision.
Document ID
20160005788
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Krainak, Michael A.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Rambo, Timothy M.
(Northwestern Univ. Evanston, IL, United States)
Yang, Guangning
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Lu, Wei
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Numata, Kenji
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Date Acquired
May 4, 2016
Publication Date
April 26, 2016
Subject Category
Communications And Radar
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN31099
Meeting Information
Meeting: SPIE Photonics West
Location: San Francisco, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: February 13, 2016
End Date: February 18, 2016
Sponsors: International Society for Optical Engineering
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNG15CR64C
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
Photons
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