Two-dimensional infrared and mid-infrared imaging by single-photon frequency upconversion

Abstract

Single-photon frequency upconversion is an effective method of infrared single-photon detection and imaging by converting the long-wavelength photons to shorter wavelengths to match the detector’s spectral response. We realized few-photon level 2D infrared imaging with a coincidence frequency upconversion system in a bulk periodically poled lithium niobate crystal. Moreover, the infrared photons carrying orbital angular momentum were converted to the visible regime with high efficiency, while the orbital angular momentum of the photons was well conserved during the frequency upconversion process. The single-photon frequency upconversion method was also used for mid-infrared imaging at 3.39 µm with high efficiency and low noise.

Keywords:

• single-photon frequency upconversion
• infrared imaging
• mid-infrared upconversion

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Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 61127014], [grant number 61378033]; National Key Scientific Instrument Project [grant number 2012YQ150092]; Shanghai Rising-Star Program [grant number 13QA1401300]; Shanghai International Cooperation Project [grant number 13520720700].