QuCoa

Quantum Correlation Analysis Software

Antibunching (g⁽²⁾) measurements including fitting of several models
Coincidence counting / event filtering using AND, OR, NOT operators
Preview of antibunching curve and correlation data during measurement
Remote control via TCP/IP Interface
Calculation of TCSPC histograms and intensity time traces
Export of all results to ASCII or images
User programming script language "STUPSLANG"

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The QuCoa software package is an integrated solution for data acquisition and analysis using PicoQuant's TCSPC electronics. It is mainly targeted at research areas that rely on coincidence detection such as Hanbury-Brown-Twiss setups to study single photon sources (g⁽²⁾ / antibunching), quantum key distributions (QKD), or the study of entanglement using Hong-Ou Mandel setups, to name only a few.

The software is designed for a 64 bit operating system and features an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI). Its clearly structured layout and powerful analysis routines allows focusing on results rather than on data processing. Data dependencies are directly visible thanks to the underlying workspace concept.

Data acquisition with PicoQuant TCSPC modules

The QuCoa software is based on the unique T2 time-tagged time-resolved data acquisition mode of PicoQuant‘s TCSPC electronics (MultiHarp 150, MultiHarp 160, TimeHarp 260, PicoHarp 300, PicoHarp 330 or HydraHarp 400). In this mode, photons on each detection channel are tagged with the absolute arrival time since the beginning of the measurement. This scheme preserves all photon timing information and allows a broad range of data interpretation, ranging from simple intensity time traces to complex correlation and coincidence counting applications.

Antibunching with cw or pulsed excitation

The QuCoa software package includes one of the fastest software correlators on the market, which permits correlating the absolute arrival times of photons in real time to, e.g., asses the quality of an antibunching curve during the measurement. The g⁽²⁾(0) value as well as count rates on all detectors are always displayed. Both pulsed and cw excitation modes are supported.

Several established models can be fitted to measured data, including the model of single emitter with or without shelved state or pulsed excitation based on exponential decays. The influence of the limited detector resolution as well as correlated and uncorrelated background can also be included in the fitting. Global fitting is supported for all models.

Coincidence counting

The QuCoa software also includes event filters for coincidence counting applications. Filters can be constructed via an easy to use graphical interface and permits combining detection channels and marker signals in a user-defined time window using logical operations (AND, OR, NOT). The filters can be applied during data acquisition as well as offline. Time gates allow restricting coincidence detection to user-defined time ranges.

Integrated scripting language and remote control

The QuCoa software includes an integrated scripting language ("STUPSLANG") that eanbles users to create new analysis procedures or customize existing ones. The QuCoa software can also be remotely controlled via a dedicated TCP/IP protocol.

Current software version: 1.3

This new versions also suppors the PicoHarp 330 and the MultiHarp 160 for data acquisition. Note: the software is protected by a USB dongle and will not work without it.

Download QuCoa, version 1.3

Data acquisition
Supported TCSPC modules	HydraHarp 400, PicoHarp 330, PicoHarp 300, TimeHarp 260, MultiHarp 150, MultiHarp 160
Supported number of detectors	up to 65 (dependent on the number of channels from the TCSPC module)
Supported number of markers for coincidence counting	up to 4
Measurement modes	Antibunching, Coincidence correlation, Coincidence counting
Measurement previews	Coincidence correlation trace (g⁽²⁾ / Antibunching), Coincidence counting, Intensity time trace, TCSPC histogram Parallel calculation and display of up to 4 different previews
Data analysis
General features	Time gating Binning Least–Squares Fitting, Bootstrap error analysis GUI themes
Coincidence correlation	Antibunching correlation (g⁽²⁾) Antibunching fitting (models: single photon emitter with and without shelving state, pulsed excitation) incl. treatment of limited detector resolution, User-defined models via scripting, Bootstrap error analysis
Coincidence counting	Combination of detection channels and markers using logical filters (AND, OR, NOT) in user-defined time gates
Export data formats	BMP, ASCII, TIFF, binary
User scripting (STUPSLANG)	User-defined analysis procedures
Remote control	via TCP/IP protocol
Required PC CPU	with SSE2 and EMT64 or AMD64 extension; recommended: quad–core or better
CPU clock	minimum 2.2 GHz; recommended: >= 3 GHz
RAM	minimum 4 GB; recommended: >= 16 GB
Operating system	Windows 10 x64
Disk space	>= 100 MB (except data storage)
Display(s)	with single display: Full HD; with dual display: 2 × 1680 × 1050 or better; No hiDPI
Protection module (HASP)	USB

All Information given here is reliable to our best knowledge. However, no responsibility is assumed for possible inaccuracies or omissions. Specifications and external appearances are subject to change without notice.

The quantum correlation analysis software QuCoa can be used in applications where the correlation between single photon events plays a major role, such as: