Quantum Optics and Photonics

Quantum optics is a field of physics and a subfield of photonics that investigates the quantum mechanical properties of light and its interactions with matter at the quantum level, i.e. phenomena that classical photonics cannot explain, such as photon entanglement, quantum state superposition, and the dual particle-wave nature of light. These phenomena are critical for understanding and developing advanced quantum technologies, including quantum computing and secure quantum communication systems. In addition, quantum optics is crucial for the advancement of highly sensitive measurement techniques to address complex challenges in spectroscopy, metrology, and imaging.

Swabian Instruments’ Time Taggers are directly relevant to quantum optics via high-resolution time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) experiments with low noise and picosecond accuracy. This capability is crucial for quantum optics experiments to capture the arrival times of individual photons from extremely weak signals with high temporal resolution, which is essential to studying temporal properties of light at the quantum level. Time Taggers are used in applications such as entanglement verification, and ultra-sensitive detection in quantum sensing applications, where the ability to accurately time-tag photon events facilitates the study and application of quantum phenomena. Thus, Swabian Instruments’ technology plays a pivotal role in advancing research and development in quantum optics, supporting both fundamental research and the development of new quantum-based technologies with high accuracy.