Measurement, Detection, and Parameter Estimation of Single Photon Correlations
Description
The continuous time-tagging of photon arrival times for high count rate sources isnecessary for applications such as optical communications, quantum key encryption,
and astronomical measurements. Detection of Hanbury-Brown and Twiss (HBT) single
photon correlations from thermal sources, such as stars, requires a combination of high
dynamic range, long integration times, and low systematics in the photon detection
and time tagging system. The continuous nature of the measurements and the need
for highly accurate timing resolution requires a customized time-to-digital converter
(TDC). A custom built, two-channel, field programmable gate array (FPGA)-based
TDC capable of continuously time tagging single photons with sub clock cycle timing
resolution was characterized. Auto-correlation and cross-correlation measurements
were used to constrain spurious systematic effects in the pulse count data as a function
of system variables. These variables included, but were not limited to, incident
photon count rate, incoming signal attenuation, and measurements of fixed signals.
Additionally, a generalized likelihood ratio test using maximum likelihood estimators
(MLEs) was derived as a means to detect and estimate correlated photon signal
parameters. The derived GLRT was capable of detecting correlated photon signals in
a laboratory setting with a high degree of statistical confidence. A proof is presented
in which the MLE for the amplitude of the correlated photon signal is shown to be the
minimum variance unbiased estimator (MVUE). The fully characterized TDC was used
in preliminary measurements of astronomical sources using ground based telescopes.
Finally, preliminary theoretical groundwork is established for the deep space optical
communications system of the proposed Breakthrough Starshot project, in which
low-mass craft will travel to the Alpha Centauri system to collect scientific data from
Proxima B. This theoretical groundwork utilizes recent and upcoming space based
optical communication systems as starting points for the Starshot communication
system.
Date Created
The date the item was original created (prior to any relationship with the ASU Digital Repositories.)
2022
Agent
- Author (aut): Hodges, Todd Michael William
- Thesis advisor (ths): Mauskopf, Philip
- Thesis advisor (ths): Trichopoulos, George
- Committee member: Papandreou-Suppappola, Antonia
- Committee member: Bliss, Daniel
- Publisher (pbl): Arizona State University