Multiplexed single-mode wavelength-to-time mapping of multimode light.

When an optical pulse propagates along an optical fibre, different wavelengths travel at different group velocities. As a result, wavelength information is converted into arrival-time information, a process known as wavelength-to-time mapping. This phenomenon is most cleanly observed using a single-mode fibre transmission line, where spatial mode dispersion is not present, but the use of such fibres restricts possible applications.

Single-photon position to time multiplexing using a fiber array.

A 1 x 8 fiber array is used as the front-end of a receiver system. Each channel has a different length of fiber, resulting in each channel signal arriving at the detector at a pre-determined interval relative to a constant repetitive frequency signal. We demonstrate that these eight channels can be efficiently coupled to an individual single-photon detector such that the arrival-time of a photon in each is distinguishable from the next.