Mid-infrared homodyne balanced detector for quantum light characterization

We present the characterization of a novel balanced homodyne detector operating in the mid-infrared. The challenging task of revealing non-classicality in mid-infrared light, e. g. in quantum cascade lasers emission, requires a high-performance detection system. Through the intensity noise power spectral density analysis of the differential signal coming from the incident radiation, we show that our setup is shot-noise limited. We discuss the experimental results with a view to possible applications to quantum technologies, such as free-space quantum communication. (C) 2021 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement

Automated summary

The article presents the characterization of a novel balanced homodyne detector operating in the mid-infrared, with a focus on its potential applications in quantum technologies. The setup is shown to be shot-noise limited through intensity noise power spectral density analysis of the differential signal from incident radiation. The experimental results are discussed in the context of possible applications to quantum technologies, such as free-space quantum communication.