Balanced homodyne detection with high common mode rejection ratio based on parameter compensation of two arbitrary photodiodes

A balanced homodyne detector, with a maximum common mode rejection ratio and clearance of 75.2 dB and 37 dB, is experimentally obtained with two arbitrary photodiodes of the same model. On the basis of self-subtraction photodetector scheme, we divide the influence of photodiodes on the common mode rejection ratio into two parts, including magnitude and phase of output signal. The discrepancy of quantum efficiency and dark current affects magnitude of output signal of photodiodes, which is compensated by adjusting the splitter ratio. The difference of the equivalent capacitance and resistance affects the phase of output signal of photodiodes, which is compensated by the differential fine tuning circuit and adjustable bias voltage circuit. With these designs, the developed homodyne detector can be used for measuring accurately the squeezed state. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America