Detection of weak optical signals without photocounts

Vladimir P. Bykov

doi:10.1117/12.543928

15 September 2004 Detection of weak optical signals without photocounts

Vladimir P. Bykov

Proceedings Volume 5450, Photonic Crystal Materials and Nanostructures; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.543928
Event: Photonics Europe, 2004, Strasbourg, France

Abstract

Detection of light is one of the most fundamental physical processes playing a very important role in both nature and technology. In nature, this process underlies vision, thus providing an opportunity to perceive the world around us. Numerous photodetectors in technology allow the quantification of the detection of optical signals, expanding the spectrum of detected radiation. The problem of detecting optical signals by optical methods themselves was first formulated apparently by Bloembergen [1]. However, this idea has not been adequately developed. In paper [2] it was shown that the signal-to-noise ratio could be improved by using nonlinear radiation detectors in which the signal transformation begins from an absorption transition. It was shown in papers [3] that photocounts appear in conventional photodetectors due to the strong Coulomb instability of a weak electron current produced in the detector by a signal being detected. This suggests that in detectors, instead of free electrons, the electrons that are bound in atoms, ions, or molecules can be used, where they are well stabilized by a strong Coulomb field of nuclei. Below a possible scheme for detecting weak optical signals by laser means is described. At present microcavities are created which can be used in the Bloembergen scheme, providing the passage from spontaneous to stimulated effect, thereby substantially improving the scheme.

Citation Download Citation

Vladimir P. Bykov "Detection of weak optical signals without photocounts", Proc. SPIE 5450, Photonic Crystal Materials and Nanostructures, (15 September 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.543928

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