Photon-Count Rate

9202-003

 


Photons Received Per Second

Microwaves Infrared Visible
Received Power 1.5 GHz 10,600 nm 656 nm
1 W 1.0 X 1024 5.3 X 1019 3.3 X 1018
1 mW 1.0 X 1021 5.3 X 1016 3.3 X 1015
1 W 1.0 X 1018 5.3 X 1013 3.3 X 1012
1 nW 1.0 X 1015 5.3 X 1010 3.3 X 109
1 pW* 1.0 X 1012 5.3 X 107 3.3 X 106
1 fW 1.0 X 109 5.3 X 104 3.3 X 103

* Signal received by a TVRO (T = 60 K, Be = 30 MHz) for CNR = 16 dB.

For T = 10 K and f = 210 GHz, Thermal Noise = Quantum or Photon Noise, i.e., kT = hf = 1.38 X 10-22 W


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