2008/05/31 by R. Poldy, B. C. Buchler, J. D. Close +1
Computer Science · Physics and Astronomy · #Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates #Mechanical and Optical Resonators #Quantum Information and Cryptography #quant-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physreva.78.013640
published as Phys. Rev. A 78, 013640 (2008) · 11 pages, 8 figures, submitted to PRA, minor changes in Secs. I and IVD.2, and revised Fig.2
arxiv created 2008/07/08 · openalex publication_date 2008/07/31 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
We present a thorough analysis of single-atom detection using optical cavities. The large set of parameters that influence the signal-to-noise ratio for cavity detection is considered, with an emphasis on detunings, probe power, cavity finesse, and photon detection schemes. Real device operating restrictions for single photon counting modules and standard photodiodes are included in our discussion, with heterodyne detection emerging as the clearly favorable technique, particularly for detuned detection at high power.