Superconducting Single-photon Detectors Research Articles

Frequency-locked Si3N4 microring for Doppler frequency shift detection

In this paper, we propose to use a homemade all-fiber Si3N4 microring as the frequency discriminator for Doppler frequency shift detection. The full width at half maximum of the microring is 361.83 MHz, which covers the dynamic range of ± 70 m/s for wind measurement applications. By introducing a time-division multiplexing method, we have achieved the frequency locking of the microring to the central frequency of the laser source, which effectively stabilizes the measurement accuracy against perturbations such as temperature fluctuations. By alternatively upshifting and downshifting the pulses, a dual-frequency lasing scheme has been designed to realize the double-edge technique for frequency shift detection. A commercial single-photon detector with 25% quantum efficiency and approximately 1300 Hz dark count rate is used to detect the backscattered signals, which circumvents the need for bulky and expensive superconducting single-photon detectors. The proposed system is validated through an outdoor wind speed detection experiment using a reference anemometer. The experiment results demonstrate the feasibility of using microring as the frequency discriminator and that the precise frequency locking control is able to improve the measurement accuracy to the state-of-the-art level under the influence of perturbations, which highlights the potential for highly integrated direct detection Doppler wind lidar design.

Free-space coupled, large-active-area superconducting microstrip single-photon detector for photon-counting time-of-flight imaging

Numerous applications at the photon-starved regime require a free-space coupling single-photon detector with a large active area, low dark count rate (DCR), and superior time resolutions. Here, we developed a superconducting microstrip single-photon detector (SMSPD), with a large active area of 260 µm in diameter, a DCR of ∼5kcps, and a low time jitter of ∼171ps, operated at a near-infrared of 1550 nm and a temperature of ∼2.0K. As a demonstration, we applied the detector to a single-pixel galvanometer scanning system and successfully reconstructed the object information in depth and intensity using a time-correlated photon counting technology.

Noise characteristics analysis and suppression of optical system based on infrared superconducting single-photon detector

Superconducting nanowire single-photon detector is a kind of refrigerated photon-counting detector with high performance, which can detect extremely weak signals. The noise of optical system is an important factor limiting the sensitivity of infrared superconducting nanowire single-photon detector. In order to improve the sensitivity of infrared detection system, the calculation model of signal-to-noise ratio and background radiation of infrared optical system based on superconducting single photon detector is established and the source of noise in optical system and the radiation emission of black body are analyzed theoretically. The noise characteristics of infrared optical system are quantitatively analyzed by photon counting capability of superconducting nanowire single-photon detector, and the relationship between the photon count rate and temperature under a small temperature difference is explored. An optical system based on infrared superconducting single photon detector is designed. The designed optical system improves the infrared photon coupling efficiency and the signal-to-noise ratio of the superconducting detection system, which are verified theoretically and experimentally , thus reducing the influence of background radiation on the detection system. The results show that the superconducting single-photon detector has high sensitivity to the analysis of the infrared optical system, and the minimum resolved movement distance is 2.74 × 10<sup>–2</sup> mm. The physical coupling efficiency of the optical system and the photon count rate of the detection system are improved by optimizing the optical system, and the signal-to-noise ratio of the system increases by 2.7 times under the same conditions. It is expected that this infrared superconducting nanowire single-photon detector can be used in finer and higher precision detection field.

Superconducting Single-Photon Detector and Its Applications in Biology (Invited)

Superconducting Single-Photon Detector and Its Applications in Biology (Invited)

An energy-sensitive interfacial-superconductor photodetector

The investigation of photon response in the superconducting state of interfacial superconductors holds both fundamental and practical significance, yet it remains largely unexplored. Here, we report an energy-sensitive photodetector utilizing a microstrip patterned on an interfacial superconductor (LaAlO3/KTaO3), achieving photon response spanning from visible to near-infrared wavelengths. Remarkably, the photon response pulse amplitude at the same wavelength is linearly related to the incident light power, showing a unique detection capability that is different from the conventional superconducting single-photon detectors. Our results suggest that the energy-sensitive characteristic arises from the Kondo effect observed in the two-dimensional electron gases of the interfacial superconductor, wherein incident photons alter the normal resistance. This study broadens the potential applications of interface superconductors and presents a versatile approach for the advancement of energy-sensitive photodetection technologies.

Micrometer-Wide NbN Strips for Photon-Number-Resolving Detection

We report the development of photon-number-resolving superconducting single-photon detector with micron-scale $\mathrm{Nb}\mathrm{N}$ strips. The detector is designed as serial meander-shaped strips with resistors connected in parallel to each strip. We investigate the performance of the detectors comprising of 5--14 strips with the widths in the range $0.3$--$1\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\text{\ensuremath{\mu}}\mathrm{m}$ and covering an area as large as $70\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}70\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\text{\ensuremath{\mu}}{\mathrm{m}}^{2}$ making it feasible for coupling to multimode fibers. We demonstrate resolution of up to six photons and analyze the sources of errors in photon-number resolution.

Влияние внешнего переменного электрического поля на эффективность сверхпроводникового однофотонного детектора

In this paper, model of a surface ion trap for a scalable quantum computer with an RF electrode and a superconducting single-photon detector was studied with an operating temperature of 4K. The amplitude range of the radio frequency signal varied from 10 to 800 mV at frequencies from 5 to 20 MHz. The effect of the induced external RF field of the trap on the dark and bright count rate of a single-photon detector is studied. The results of this work are important in the design of surface ion traps with planar single-photon detectors.

Design and fabrication of the superconducting single-photon detector operating at the 5 - 10 micrometer wavelength band

High-performance mid-wave and long-wave infrared single-photon detectors not only have significant research value in the fields of infrared astronomy and defense technology, but are also challenging to be realized in the field of single-photon detection technology. Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) have shown excellent performance in the near-infrared band. However, how to further improve the cutoff wavelength <i>λ</i><sub>c</sub> is a topic of widespread concern. In this paper, the method for improving <i>λ</i><sub>c</sub> by applying the regulation of the superconducting disorder is discussed, and a detector with an operating wavelength band of 5 - 10 μm is designed and fabricated. <br>Studies have shown that the multiplication and diffusion behaviors of the quasiparticles always occur during the photon detection events, although the microscopic photodetection mechanism of SNSPD still lacks a perfect theoretical explanation. Therefore, the theoretical analysis mainly considers the influence of the quasiparticles in this paper, and the mathematical formula of the detection cutoff wavelength <i>λ</i><sub>c</sub> can be obtained based on the phenomenological quasiparticle diffusion model. Furthermore, the disorder-dependent superconducting phase transition temperature <i>T</i><sub>c</sub>, superconducting energy gap <i><teshuzifu>D</i>, and electron thermalization time <i>τ</i><sub>th</sub> are also considered, in order to get more precise results.<br>Theoretical analysis suggests that the increase in the sheet resistance <i>R</i><sub>s</sub>, which evaluates the disorder strength, will help to increase <i>λ</i><sub>c</sub>. For example, when the nanowire width is kept at 30 nm and <i>R</i><sub>s</sub> > 380 Ω/□, it can be deduced that <i>λ</i><sub>c</sub> is larger than 10 μm.<br>Experimentally, the active area of the device consists of a straight superconducting nanowire with a length of 10 μm and a width of 30 nm, so that it can effectively reduce the probability of the defects on the nanowire and avoid the current crowding effect. We have fabricated a 30 nm-wide Mo<sub>0.8</sub>Si<sub>0.2</sub> mid infrared SNSPD, which has a cutoff wavelength <i>λ</i><sub>c</sub> no more than 5 μm, the effective strength of the disorder - the film sheet resistance <i>R</i><sub>s</sub> = 248.6 Ω/□. As a comparison, the sheet resistance, which is controlled by the film thickness, is increased to about 320 Ω/□ in this experiment.<br>It is demonstrated that the Mo<sub>0.8</sub>Si<sub>0.2</sub> detector with <i>R</i><sub>s</sub> ~320 Ω/□ can achieve saturated quantum efficiency at a wavelength of 6 μm. Furthermore, 53% quantum efficiency at the wavelength of 10.2 μm can be obtained when the detector works at a bias current of 0.9 <i>I</i><sub>SW</sub> (<i>I</i><sub>SW</sub> is the superconducting transition current), and it can theoretically reach a maximum value of 92% if the compression of switching current is excluded. Therefore, it can be predicted that the disorder regulation may become another efficient approach for designing high-performance mid-wave and long-wave infrared SNSPDs, in addition to the optimization of the superconducting energy gap and the cross section of superconducting nanowire.<br>However, the continuous increase in the disorder will cause a decrease in both the superconducting phase transition temperature <i>T</i><sub>c</sub> and <i>I</i><sub>SW</sub> of the detector from the point of detector fabrication and application. This downward trend is especially pronounced when the nanowire width is ultranarrow, which is not conducive to the signal readout of the detector. Thus, exploring the optimal disorder regulation technology and balancing the relationship between the operating temperature, the signal-to-noise ratio, and the cutoff wavelength will have key scientific and application value for the development of high-performance mid-wave and long-wave infrared SNSPDs.

Investigation of the structure and electrical properties of nanocomposite films W-=SUB=-x-=/SUB=-Si-=SUB=-1-x-=/SUB=-

An experimental investigation of the structure and phase composition by X-ray, Raman, and ultrasoft X-ray emission spectroscopy, as well as the study of the electrical properties of WxSi1-x films used as sensitive elements of superconducting single-photon detectors (SNSPD), depending on the thickness in the range from 7 to 80 nm, was carried out, according to the results of which it was found that the W3Si phase is presumably formed in films 20 and 40 nm thick with a resistivity of 8.4·10-5 and 6.0·10-5 Ω ·cm, respectively, containing the WSi2, W5Si3, and SiO2 phases, as well as WOx and a small share of β-W. Films with a thickness of 7 nm have the highest resistivity of 18.0·10-5 Ω ·cm and contain nanocrystals, WSi2, SiO2, as well as β-W, and an amorphous silicon phase. Films with a thickness of 80 nm (the resistivity is also 18.0·10-5 Ω ·cm) predominantly contain WSi2, as well as W5Si3 and SiO2, and, presumably, the W3Si phase. Keywords: Superconducting single-photon detector, phase composition, X-ray amorphous structure, WSi superconducting films, spectroscopy.

Исследование структуры и электрических свойств нанокомпозитных пленок W-=SUB=-x-=/SUB=-Si-=SUB=-1-x-=/SUB=-

An experimental investigation of the structure and phase composition by X-ray, Raman, and ultrasoft X-ray emission spectroscopy, as well as the study of the electrical properties of WxSi(1-x) films used as sensitive elements of superconducting single-photon detectors (SNSPD), depending on the thickness in the range from 7 to 80 nm, was carried out, according to the results of which it was found that the W3Si phase is presumably formed in films 20 and 40 nm thick with a resistivity of 8.4 10-5 and 6.0 10-5 Ω cm, respectively, containing the WSi2, W5Si3, and SiO2 phases, as well as WOx and a small share of β-W. Films with a thickness of 7 nm have the highest resistivity of 18.0 10-5 Ω·cm and contain nanocrystals, WSi2, SiO2, as well as β-W, and an amorphous silicon phase. Films with a thickness of 80 nm (the resistivity is also 18.0 10-5 Ω·cm) predominantly contain WSi2, as well as W5Si3 and SiO2, and, presumably, the W3Si phase.

Trapped Phonons Improve Photon Detection

Researchers more than double the frequency resolution of a superconducting single-photon detector through phonon trapping.

Considerations for Neuromorphic Supercomputing in Semiconducting and Superconducting Optoelectronic Hardware.

Any large-scale spiking neuromorphic system striving for complexity at the level of the human brain and beyond will need to be co-optimized for communication and computation. Such reasoning leads to the proposal for optoelectronic neuromorphic platforms that leverage the complementary properties of optics and electronics. Starting from the conjecture that future large-scale neuromorphic systems will utilize integrated photonics and fiber optics for communication in conjunction with analog electronics for computation, we consider two possible paths toward achieving this vision. The first is a semiconductor platform based on analog CMOS circuits and waveguide-integrated photodiodes. The second is a superconducting approach that utilizes Josephson junctions and waveguide-integrated superconducting single-photon detectors. We discuss available devices, assess scaling potential, and provide a list of key metrics and demonstrations for each platform. Both platforms hold potential, but their development will diverge in important respects. Semiconductor systems benefit from a robust fabrication ecosystem and can build on extensive progress made in purely electronic neuromorphic computing but will require III-V light source integration with electronics at an unprecedented scale, further advances in ultra-low capacitance photodiodes, and success from emerging memory technologies. Superconducting systems place near theoretically minimum burdens on light sources (a tremendous boon to one of the most speculative aspects of either platform) and provide new opportunities for integrated, high-endurance synaptic memory. However, superconducting optoelectronic systems will also contend with interfacing low-voltage electronic circuits to semiconductor light sources, the serial biasing of superconducting devices on an unprecedented scale, a less mature fabrication ecosystem, and cryogenic infrastructure.

Ultrathin rock-salt type NbN films grown on atomically flat AlN/sapphire substrates

In this study, we grew NbN(111) films on AlN(0001)/sapphire substrates by sputtering and investigated their structural and electrical properties. It was found that a 7-nm-thick NbN film grown on an AlN/sapphire substrate at 850 °C had a step-and-terrace structure on the surface, similar to that of the underlying AlN surface. Reflection high-energy electron diffraction and X-ray diffraction revealed the high crystallinity of the ultrathin NbN film. The superconducting transition temperature of the 7-nm-thick NbN was 11 K, which is lower than that of the 27-nm-thick NbN film grown at the same temperature, but sufficient to be applicable to superconducting single-photon detectors.

Efficient generation of ultra-broadband parametric fluorescence using chirped quasi-phase-matched waveguide devices.

We present a highly efficient photon pair source using chirped quasi-phase-matched (QPM) devices with a ridge waveguide structure. We developed QPM waveguide devices with chirp rates of 3% and 6.7%. Spectrum measurements reveal that the generated photons have bandwidths of 229 nm and 325 nm in full width at half maximum (FWHM), alternatively, 418 nm and 428 nm in base-to-base width for the 3% and 6.7% chirped devices, respectively, which are much broader than the bandwidth of 16 nm in FWHM observed with a non-chirp device. We also evaluate the generation efficiency of photon pairs from coincidence measurements using two superconducting single photon detectors (SSPDs). The estimated generation efficiencies of photon pairs were 2.7 × 106 pairs/s·µW and 1.2 × 106 pairs/s·µW for the 3% and 6.7% chirped devices, respectively, which are comparable to the generation efficiency for the non-chirp device of 2.7 × 106 pairs/s·µW. We also measured the frequency correlation of the photon pairs generated from the 6.7% chirped device. The experimental results clearly show the frequency correlation of the generated broadband photon pairs.

Publisher's Note: “Broadband waveguide-integrated superconducting single-photon detectors with high system detection efficiency” [Appl. Phys Lett. 118, 154004 (2021)

Publisher's Note: “Broadband waveguide-integrated superconducting single-photon detectors with high system detection efficiency” [Appl. Phys Lett. <b>118</b>, 154004 (2021)

Broadband waveguide-integrated superconducting single-photon detectors with high system detection efficiency

Fast and efficient detection of single photons with high timing accuracy is a crucial requirement in most quantum optics experiments and enables novel sensing and imaging solutions. Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPD) achieve technology-leading performance in terms of detection efficiency, dark count rate, timing jitter, and detector dead times. However, conventional SNSPDs with high system detection efficiency typically rely on resonant enhancement of the absorption efficiency, thus only achieving attractive detector benchmarks over narrow spectral windows. Waveguide-integrated SNSPDs allow for leveraging the wideband material absorption in superconducting nanowires by absorbing light in a traveling-wave geometry but have been limited to low system detection efficiencies due to interface losses when coupling to optical fibers. Here, we show how high system detection efficiencies of 22%–73% are realized over a broad wavelength range from 532 nm to 1640 nm in a single waveguide-integrated SNSPD device. We accomplish efficient coupling between optical fibers and waveguide-integrated nanowire detectors by employing a 3D interface, produced in direct laser writing, that relies on total internal reflection for achieving a broad transmission bandwidth. We further find low timing jitter of 25.7 ps and detector decay times of 9.8 ns, allowing for single-photon counting with high repetition rates up to 100 MHz. Our work paves the way for an efficient single-photon detector solution that combines the spectral requirements of an extremely wide range of quantum optics experiments in a single device. The coupling approach and SNSPD-integration with nanophotonic circuits are further well-suited for realizing large-scale detector arrays.

Reconfigurable photonics with on-chip single-photon detectors

Integrated quantum photonics offers a promising path to scale up quantum optics experiments by miniaturizing and stabilizing complex laboratory setups. Central elements of quantum integrated photonics are quantum emitters, memories, detectors, and reconfigurable photonic circuits. In particular, integrated detectors not only offer optical readout but, when interfaced with reconfigurable circuits, allow feedback and adaptive control, crucial for deterministic quantum teleportation, training of neural networks, and stabilization of complex circuits. However, the heat generated by thermally reconfigurable photonics is incompatible with heat-sensitive superconducting single-photon detectors, and thus their on-chip co-integration remains elusive. Here we show low-power microelectromechanical reconfiguration of integrated photonic circuits interfaced with superconducting single-photon detectors on the same chip. We demonstrate three key functionalities for photonic quantum technologies: 28 dB high-extinction routing of classical and quantum light, 90 dB high-dynamic range single-photon detection, and stabilization of optical excitation over 12 dB power variation. Our platform enables heat-load free reconfigurable linear optics and adaptive control, critical for quantum state preparation and quantum logic in large-scale quantum photonics applications.

Singlet oxygen phosphorescence imaging by superconducting single-photon detector and time-correlated single-photon counting.

This Letter presents, to the best of our knowledge, a novel optical configuration for direct time-resolved measurements of luminescence from singlet oxygen, both in solutions and from cultured cells on photodynamic therapy. The system is based on the superconducting single-photon detector, coupled to the confocal scanner that is modified for the near-infrared measurements. The recording of a phosphorescence signal from singlet oxygen at 1270 nm has been done using time-correlated single-photon counting. The performance of the system is verified by measuring phosphorescence from singlet oxygen generated by the photosensitizers commonly used in photodynamic therapy: methylene blue and chlorin e6. The described system can be easily upgraded to the configuration when both phosphorescence from singlet oxygen and fluorescence from the cells can be detected in the imaging mode. Thus, co-localization of the signal from singlet oxygen with the areas inside the cells can be done.

Dependence of Photon Detection Efficiency on Normal-State Sheet Resistance inMarginallySuperconducting Films of NbN

We present an extensive set of data on nanowire-type superconducting single-photon detectors based on niobium-nitride (NbN) to establish the empirical correlation between performance and the normal-state resistance per square. We focus, in particular, on the bias current, compared to the expected depairing current, needed to achieve a near-unity detection efficiency for photon detection. The data are discussed within the context of a model in which the photon energy triggers the movement of vortices <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">i.e.</i> superconducting dissipation, followed by thermal runaway. Since the model is based on the non-equilibrium theory for conventional superconductors deviations may occur, because the efficient regime is found when NbN acts as a marginal superconductor in which long-range phase coherence is frustrated.

Sixteen-channel fiber array-coupled superconducting single-photon detector array with average system detection efficiency over 60% at telecom wavelength.

We report a compact, scalable, and high-performance superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD) array by using a multichannel optical fiber array-coupled configuration. For single pixels with an active area of 18 µm in diameter and illuminated at the telecom wavelength of 1550 nm, we achieved a pixel yield of 13/16 on one chip, an average system detection efficiency of 69% at a dark count rate of 160 cps, a minimum timing jitter of 74 ps, and a maximum count rate of ∼40Mcps. The optical crosstalk coefficient between adjacent channels is better than -60dB. The performance of the fiber array-coupled detectors is comparable with a standalone detector coupled to a single fiber. Our method is promising for the development of scalable, high-performance, and high-yield SNSPDs.