EinzelphotonModus

EinzelphotonModus refers to a mode of operation in optical systems or detectors where the apparatus is specifically designed to register or interact with individual photons. This is in contrast to systems that measure the overall intensity of light, which is composed of a large number of photons. In the EinzelphotonModus, the goal is to detect the arrival of single quantum particles of light.

This mode of operation is crucial in various scientific and technological fields. It is fundamental to quantum optics experiments, where the wave-particle duality of light is investigated, and the behavior of single photons is studied. Applications include quantum communication, where information is encoded in individual photons for secure transmission, and quantum computing, where photons can serve as qubits.

Detectors operating in EinzelphotonModus, such as single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) or superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs), exhibit extremely high sensitivity. They are capable of registering even a single photon event, often producing an electrical pulse proportional to the detected photon. This sensitivity allows for measurements in extremely low-light conditions or the detection of faint quantum signals. The development and refinement of EinzelphotonModus technology are ongoing, enabling increasingly sophisticated quantum experiments and applications.