# Photon detector measures pulses of up to 276 photons with sub-photon uncertainty

_Published Friday, November 13, 2026 at 12:06 AM EST · Science · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![Photon detector measures pulses of up to 276 photons with sub-photon uncertainty — Primary](https://scx2.b-cdn.net/gfx/news/hires/2026/researchers-extend-pho-1.jpg)

Researchers at Paderborn University demonstrated measurements of laser pulses containing up to 276 photons with uncertainty below one photon, in work described in Optica. Their system combines superconducting detectors with a method that divides incoming light into smaller pulses.

It splits each pulse into 128 pulses separated in time, then distributes them across eight detectors to create 1,024 detection bins. A model characterizes each bin's response. A conventional multiplexed system would need about 37,000 detector elements for the same precision.

The study tested laser pulses; applying the system to bright quantum states of light is planned.

## Sources

- [Phys.org](https://phys.org/news/2026-11-multiplexed-detector-precisely-photons.html)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/ppYlS4AYPElqfisBAW3zZW
Published: 2026-11-13T05:06:02.109Z
Story chronology: 2026-11-12T23:30:02.000Z
Retrieved: 2026-11-13T06:46:14.997Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)