Researchers have developed a new detector that can precisely measure single photons at very high rates. The new device could help make high-speed quantum communication practical.

Quantum communication uses light at the single level to send encoded quantum information such as encryption keys in quantum key distribution. Because of the laws of physics, data transmitted in this way is guaranteed to remain secure. Sending information at faster speeds requires a single photon that can not only detect photons quickly but also precisely measure their arrival times.

In an article published in Optica, researchers led by Matthew D. Shaw at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory describe and demonstrate their new detector for measuring the arrival times of photons, which they call PEACOQ (performance-enhanced array for counting optical quanta) detector.

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