The discussion revolves around calculating the number of photons per pulse emitted by a laser diode used in a quantum key distribution experiment. Participants explore the necessary parameters and methods for this calculation, including the average power of the laser, pulse repetition rate, and pulse duration.
Participants express uncertainty about the initial question and the available data. There is no consensus on a definitive method for calculating the photon number per pulse, as various parameters are discussed without agreement on their specific values or measurements.
Limitations include the lack of clarity on the specific parameters available to the original poster, such as whether the average power refers to output power or consumed power, and the absence of measurements for pulse repetition rate and duration.
Sorry about the Unclear question, I have only the data about average power of laser diode but have no idea to calculate the photon number per pulse in the experiment.f95toli said:It is not entirely clear what you are asking. What information do you have? Do you have some way of measuring the energy/pulse (before the attenuators) directly?
I am not an expert in this field (I've done some work on single microwave photons, but that is a bit different) but presumably you could get a good estimate if you know the average power and duty cycle of your laser as well as the frequency of the generated light.
I hope that is the output power, not the power consumed ?Pattarasak said:I have only the data about average power of laser diode