Radiometric reference for weak radiations: comparison of methods

The parametric down conversion of photons generated in a non-linear crystal gives rise to two correlated photons. When associated with a system of coincidence counting, this phenomenon allows one to measure the quantum efficiencies of detectors working at a normal rate of photon counting, without the need for reference sources or detectors. At the Institut National de Métrologie (INM) (France), this method was implemented with the aim of developing a new standard detector for the absolute measurement of very weak radiation. The validation of this method is presented from an international comparison between the laboratories of the INM (France) and the Istituto Elettrotecnico Nazionale Galileo Ferraris (IENGF) (Italy) and from a comparison of methods at INM using the French national standard detector, the cryogenic radiometer.