Overview
Single-photon generation and detection is at the forefront of modern optical physics research. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the current status of single-photon techniques and research methods in the spectral region from the visible to the infrared. The use of single photons, produced on demand with well-defined quantum properties, offers unprecedented capabilities that are central to the new area of quantum information and are of revolutionary importance in areas ranging from the traditional, such as high sensitivity detection for astronomy and remote sensing, to the exotic, such as secretive surveillance and very long communication links for data transmission on interplanetary missions. This volume gives researchers a comprehensive overview of the technology and techniques that enable them to better design an experimental plan. The book is divided into chapters on the development and capabilities of available detectors and sources that allow readers to understand how the field is progressing and what can be expected in the near future. We will include chapters devoted to the applications of this technology, which drives its development. This book should become the go-to reference for this field.
