Nanoscale Optical Detector with Single-Photon and Multiphoton Sensitivity

Bitauld, David; Marsili, Francesco; Gaggero, A.; Mattioli, F.; Leoni, R.; Nejad, S. Jahanmiri; Lévy, F.; Fiore, Andrea

doi:10.1021/nl101411h

Cited by 49 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…In [91], a tomography protocol which compensates for external optical losses (see section Appendix A.4) was applied to a 150 nm wide NbN nanodetector [92], for a wavelength of 1500 nm. Figure 6(a) shows the results, which were obtained.…”

Section: Linear Energy-current Relation From Qdtmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection mechanism of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors

Engel¹,

Renema²,

Ilin³

et al. 2015

Supercond. Sci. Technol.

143

111

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Abstract. In this paper we intend to give a comprehensive description of the current understanding of the detection mechanism in superconducting nanowire singlephoton detectors. We will review key experimental results related to the detection mechanism, e.g. the variations of the detection probability as a function of bias current, temperature or magnetic field. Commonly used detection models will be introduced and we will analyze their predictions in view of the experimental observations. Although none of the proposed detection models is able to describe all experimental data, it is becoming increasingly clear that vortices are essential for the formation of the initial normal-conducting domain that triggers a detection event.

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Section: Linear Energy-current Relation From Qdtmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection mechanism of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors

Engel¹,

Renema²,

Ilin³

et al. 2015

Supercond. Sci. Technol.

143

111

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Its QE ͑nor-malized to its peak value͒ is shown versus wavelength in Fig. 2͑c͒ ͑symbols, right axis͒, as measured using a tunable laser in a cryogenic probe station, 15 with a device temperature T Ϸ 5 -6 K and a bias current I B = 0.96I C . A cavity resonance is observed, centered around 1300 nm, clearly corresponding to the reflectivity minimum.…”

Section: -mentioning

confidence: 99%

Nanowire superconducting single-photon detectors on GaAs for integrated quantum photonic applications

Gaggero

Nejad

Marsili

et al. 2010

Applied Physics Letters

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We demonstrate efficient nanowire superconducting single photon detectors (SSPDs) based on NbN thin films grown on GaAs. NbN films ranging from 3 to 5 nm in thickness have been deposited by dc magnetron sputtering on GaAs substrates at 350 °C. These films show superconducting properties comparable to similar films grown on sapphire and MgO. In order to demonstrate the potential for monolithic integration, SSPDs were fabricated and measured on GaAs/AlAs Bragg mirrors, showing a clear cavity enhancement, with a peak quantum efficiency of 18.3% at λ=1300 nm and T=4.2 K.

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“…This effect has practical implications for the operation of SSPDs, since it represents a potential limitation of the detection efficiency. In addition, SSPDs have been proposed for nanoscale sensing, either in a near-field optical microscope configuration [14] or as a subwavelength multiphoton probe [15], where this effect would be of major importance for the properties of such a microscope. While this effect has been predicted theoretically, clear experimental evidence is missing.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Position-Dependent Local Detection Efficiency in a Nanowire Superconducting Single-Photon Detector

et al. 2015

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We probe the local detection efficiency in a nanowire superconducting single-photon detector along the cross-section of the wire with a spatial resolution of 10 nm. We experimentally find a strong variation in the local detection efficiency of the device. We demonstrate that this effect explains previously observed variations in NbN detector efficiency as function of device geometry.Nanowire superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) consist of a superconducting wire of nanoscale cross-section [1], typically 4 nm by 100 nm. Photon detection occurs when a single quantum of light is absorbed and triggers a transition from the superconducting to the normal state. SSPDs have high efficiency, low jitter, low dark count rate and fast reset time [2], and are therefore a key technology for, among others, quantum key distribution Although progress has been made recently, the underlying physical mechanism responsible for photon detection on the nanoscale is still under active investigation. A combination of theory [6,7], experiments [8][9][10] and simulations [11,12] on NbN SSPDs indicates that the absorption of a photon destroys Cooper pairs in the superconductor and creates a localized cloud of quasiparticles that diverts current across the wire. This makes the wire susceptible to the entry of a superconducting vortex from the edge of the wire. Energy dissipation by this moving vortex drives the system to the normal state.An important and unexpected implication of this detection model is a nanoscale position variation in the photodetection properties of the device. The conditions at the entry point of the vortex determine the energy required for it to cross the wire. This causes photons absorbed close to the edge to have a local detection efficiency (LDE) [13] compared to photons absorbed in the center of the wire [12]. This effect has practical implications for the operation of SSPDs, since it represents a potential limitation of the detection efficiency. In addition, SSPDs have been proposed for nanoscale sensing, either in a near-field optical microscope configuration [14] or as a subwavelength multiphoton probe [15], where this effect would be of major importance for the properties of such a microscope. While this effect has been predicted theoretically, clear experimental evidence is missing. * renema@physics.leidenuniv.nlIn this work, we experimentally explore the nanoscale variations in the intrinsic response of the detector. We spatially resolve the LDE with a resolution of approximately 10 nm, better than λ/50, using far-field illumination only. We find that our results are qualitatively consistent with numerical simulations [11,12]. Our results provide excellent quantitative agreement with experiments that indicate a polarization dependence in the LDE that was hitherto not understood [16].The key technique used in this work is a differential polarization measurement that probes the IDE of the detector (see Figure 1). The technique is based on the fact that polarized light is absorbed preferentially in dif...

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Nanoscale Optical Detector with Single-Photon and Multiphoton Sensitivity

Cited by 49 publications

References 24 publications

Detection mechanism of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors

Detection mechanism of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors

Nanowire superconducting single-photon detectors on GaAs for integrated quantum photonic applications

Position-Dependent Local Detection Efficiency in a Nanowire Superconducting Single-Photon Detector

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