Open AccessRelative time multiplexing of heralded telecom-band single-photon sources using switchable optical fiber delays
Author(s) -
Eunjoo Lee,
Sang Min Lee,
Hee Su Park
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.27.024545
Subject(s) - optics , physics , multiplexing , interferometry , photonics , photon , coherence (philosophical gambling strategy) , michelson interferometer , optical path , wavelength division multiplexing , single mode optical fiber , coherence length , optical fiber , telecommunications , computer science , wavelength , superconductivity , quantum mechanics
We experimentally demonstrate a time-multiplexing method for pulse-pumped heralded single-photon sources using switchable optical fiber delay lines. The optical fibers constitute a 32-channel binary-division photon buffer that can multiplex time slots into single temporal mode to enhance single-photon generation rate without increasing multi-photon noise. Relative time multiplexing using the same actively controlled variable delay realizes Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometry by two photons produced in arbitrary two time-bins. The interference dip depth in good agreement with theory verifies path length matching within the photonic coherence length and dispersion compensation of the optical fiber delay sections. We independently confirm by low-coherence interferometry that the internal optical path lengths of the optical switches are constant during the switching operations.