Timing discriminator based on single-flux-quantum circuit toward high time-resolved photon detection

Abstract

We propose a new time discriminating method based on a single-flux quantum (SFQ) circuit to realize a high time-resolved single-photon detection scheme that uses a superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SSPD). The timing discriminator consists of an SFQ comparator and an interface circuit for converting the output signals of an SSPD into SFQ pulses. Prior to connecting with the SSPD, we evaluated the timing jitters of the SFQ timing discriminator itself by applying external electrical pulses. The timing jitters of the SFQ timing discriminator were found to be dominated by the timing jitters in the interface circuit. However, it was estimated to be below 10 ps even with an input pulse amplitude of 20 μA, which is close to the typical output amplitude of the SSPD.