Abstract
In the past decade, superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) have gradually become an indispensable part of any demanding quantum optics experiment. Until now, most SNSPDs have been coupled to single-mode fibers. SNSPDs coupled to multimode fibers have shown promising efficiencies but have yet to achieve high time resolution. For a number of applications ranging from quantum nano-photonics to bio-optics, high efficiency and high time resolution are desired at the same time. In this paper, we demonstrate the role of polarization on the efficiency of multimode-fiber-coupled detectors and fabricated high-performance 20 µm, 25 µm, and 50 µm diameter detectors targeted for visible, near-infrared, and telecom wavelengths. A custom-built setup was used to simulate realistic experiments with randomized modes in the fiber. We achieved over 80% system efficiency and $ {\lt} {20}\;{\rm ps}$<20ps timing jitter for 20 µm SNSPDs. Also, we realized 70% system efficiency and $ {\lt} {20}\;{\rm ps}$<20ps timing jitter for 50 µm SNSPDs. The high-efficiency multimode-fiber-coupled SNSPDs with unparalleled time resolution will benefit various quantum optics experiments and applications in the future.
Highlights
Generating and detecting light at the single photon level has enabled a wide range of scientific breakthroughs in several fields, such as quantum optics, bio-imaging and astronomy
In remote laser ranging applications, for example SNSPD-based Lidar system, multimode fibers are preferably chosen since they offer larger active area and easier coupling to telescope compared with single mode fiber
We studied the influence of fiber dispersion on the instrument response function (IRF) of the system
Summary
Generating and detecting light at the single photon level has enabled a wide range of scientific breakthroughs in several fields, such as quantum optics, bio-imaging and astronomy. Coupling photons from QDs to single mode fiber, which has a low numerical aperture (NA) and a small core diameter, imposes demanding constraints on the laboratory setup. In remote laser ranging applications, for example SNSPD-based Lidar system, multimode fibers are preferably chosen since they offer larger active area and easier coupling to telescope compared with single mode fiber. Large size SNSPDs coupled to multimode fiber with simultaneously high efficiency and high time resolution will benefit remote laser ranging applications. Once light is coupled to fibers, SNSPDs are outstanding single-photon detectors because of their combined performances of high detection efficiency, high time resolution and low dark count rate [14]. The achieved time resolution of these detectors have been limited to 76-105 ps It is not clear whether the mode-profile and polarization of light was sufficiently random. We studied the influence of fiber dispersion on the instrument response function (IRF) of the system
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
