  We explore the feasibility of using high conversion-efficiency
periodically-poled crystals to produce photon pairs for photon-counting
detector calibrations at 1550 nm. The goal is the development of an appropriate
parametric down-conversion (PDC) source at telecom wavelengths meeting the
requirements of high-efficiency pair production and collection in single
spectral and spatial modes (single-mode fibers). We propose a protocol to
optimize the photon collection, noise levels and the uncertainty evaluation.
This study ties together the results of our efforts to model the single-mode
heralding efficiency of a two-photon PDC source and to estimate the heralding
uncertainty of such a source.
