Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rok Pestotnik (IJS): Ultrafast detection of photons

Ultrafast detection of single photons is becoming a cornerstone technology in many advanced scientific and technological fields. It plays a critical role wherever extremely weak light signals must be detected with high temporal precision - from quantum communication and quantum computing to optical tomography and particle physics experiments. In these domains, detecting individual photons with time resolutions on the order of tens of picoseconds is essential for synchronisation, signal discrimination, and overall measurement efficiency. Recent developments in sensor technologies, both vacuum and solid state, are pushing the boundaries of what is possible, offering improved timing, sensitivity, and integration in complex detector systems.
In this talk I will present the latest progress in developing ultrafast photon sensors, highlighting key technologies, performance achievements, and current limitations. I will conclude with a series of critical applications where ultrafast photon detection is not only advantageous but essential - enabling entirely new approaches to measurement and discovery.
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