Measuring the dynamics of second-order photon correlation functions inside a pulse with picosecond time resolution

We present a detailed discussion of a recently demonstrated experimental technique capable of measuring the orrelation function of a pulsed light source with picosecond time resolution. The measurement involves a streak camera in single photon counting mode, which is modified such that a signal at a fixed repetition rate, and well defined energy, can be monitored after each pulsed laser excitation.

The technique provides further insight into the quantum optical properties of pulsed light emission from semiconductor nanostructures, and the dynamics inside a pulse, on the subnanosecond time scale.