Measurement of zero-count probability in photoelectron statistics.
The probability of zero-count P(0)(T) (as a function of the counting interval T) is one of the most interesting functions characterizing a light field. Experimentally, P(0)(T) is usually obtained by measuring successively the zero-count probability for a set of different intervals. This procedure exposes the measurement of P(0)(T) to errors imputable to drift. We present a simple zero-counter which is essentially free from drift effects and displays P(0)(T) directly on the CRT of an oscilloscope for sixteen values of T. Another advantage of the instrument is a conspicuous reduction of the overall measuring time.