Riexinger, FelixFelixRiexingerKutas, MircoMircoKutasHaase, Björn ErikBjörn ErikHaaseBickert, PatriciaPatriciaBickertMolter, DanielDanielMolterBortz, MichaelMichaelBortzFreymann, Georg vonGeorg vonFreymann2023-05-162023-05-162023https://publica.fraunhofer.de/handle/publica/44196610.21468/SciPostPhysCore.6.1.022Spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) sources are an important technology for quantum sensing and imaging. We demonstrate a general simulation method, based on modeling from first principles, reproducing the spectrally and spatially resolved absolute counts of a SPDC experiment. By additionally simulating parametric up- and down-conversion processes with thermal photons as well as effects of the optical system we accomplish good agreement with the experimental results. This method is broadly applicable and allows for the separation of contributing processes, virtual characterization of SPDC sources, and enables the simulation of many quantum based applications.enSpontaneous parametric down-conversiongeneral simulation methodthermal photonsDDC::500 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematikjournal article