Michiel de Dood Lab - Quantum Detection

Our group explores the larger domain of quantum measurement. In particular we investigate two themes that are closely connected: The detection of specially prepared quantum states of light and understanding and characterizing quantum photon detectors.

Given a well-defined single photon detector with a known response, one can measure the quantum state of light and we have explored spatially entangled multi-photon sources. If the quantum light source is well-known, one can use this to characterize an unknown detector. This gives new information and new insights in the detection mechanism. We apply this method to superconducting single photon detectors of which the exact detection mechanism is still unknown.

Historically, I have a strong interest in nanophotonics and analogies between classical mechanics and quantum mechanics (e.g. one of the first proposals for a photonic crystal based source of entangled photons and a microwave analogue of graphene).

This expertise often leads to surprising new insights. For instance, we have used our expertise on the polarization dependent optical properties of photonic crystals and plasmonic structures to explain and explore the polarization dependence of superconducting single photon detectors.