title: Reducing noise in single-photon-level frequency conversion.
abstract: We demonstrate low-noise and efficient frequency conversion by sum-frequency mixing in a periodically poled LiNbO(3) (PPLN) waveguide. Using a 1556 nm pump, 1302 nm photons are efficiently converted to 709 nm photons. We obtain 70% conversion efficiency in the PPLN waveguide and >50% external conversion efficiency with 600 noise counts per second at peak conversion with continuous-wave pumping. We simultaneously achieve low noise and high conversion efficiency by careful spectral filtering. We discuss the impact of low-noise frequency translation on single-photon upconversion detection and quantum information applications.
authors.affiliation: Information Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, USA. pkuo@nist.gov
authors.forename: Paulina S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Jason S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Pelc
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Slattery
authors.forename: Yong-Su
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Fejer
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tang