Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detector with Optical Cavity

Increasing the detection efficiency （DE） is a hot issue in the development of the superconducting nanowire single photon detector （SNSPD）. In this work, a cavity-integrated structure coupled to the SNSPD is used to enhance the light absorption of nanowire. Ultra-thin Nb films are successfully prepared by magnetron sputtering, which are used to fabricate Nb/Al SNSPD with the curve of lOOnm and the square area of 4 × 4μm2 by sputtering and the lift-off method. To characterize the optical and electrical performance of the cavity-integrated SNSPD, a reliable cryogenic research system is built up based on a He3 system. To satisfy the need of light coupling, a packaging structure with collimator is conducted. Both DE and the dark count rates increase with lb. It is also found that the DE of SNSPD with cavities can be up to 0.17% at the temperature of 0.7K under the infrared light of 1550nm, which is obviously higher than that of the SNSPD directly fabricated upon silicon without any cavity structure.

Wavelength dependence of intrinsic detection efficiency of NbN superconducting nanowire single-photon detector

Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors(SNSPDs) have attracted considerable attention owing to their excellent detection performance;however, the underlying physics of the detection process is still unclear.In this study, we investigate the wavelength dependence of the intrinsic detection efficiency(IDE) for NbN SNSPDs.We fabricate various NbN SNSPDs with linewidths ranging from 30 nm to 140 nm.Then, for each detector, the IDE curves as a function of bias current for different incident photon wavelengths of 510–1700 nm are obtained.From the IDE curves, the relations between photon energy and bias current at a certain IDE are extracted.The results exhibit clear nonlinear energy–current relations for the NbN detectors, indicating that a detection model only considering quasiparticle diffusion is unsuitable for the meander-type NbN-based SNSPDs.Our work provides additional experimental data on SNSPD detection mechanism and may serve as an interesting reference for further investigation.

Performance of a superconducting single photon detector with nano-antenna

The performance of single-photon detectors can be enhanced by using nano-antenna. The characteristics of the superconducting nano-wire single-photon detector with cavity plus anti-reflect coating and specially designed nano~ antenna is analysed. The photon collection efficiency of the detector is enhanced without damaging the detector＇s speed, thus getting rid of the dilemma of speed and efficiency. The characteristics of nano-antenna are discussed, such as the position and the effect of the active area, and the best result is given. The photon collection efficiency is increased by 92 times compared with that of existing detectors.

High-performance eight-channel system with fractal superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors

Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors(SNSPDs)have become a mainstream photon-counting technology that has been widely applied in various scenarios.So far,most multi-channel SNSPD systems,either reported in literature or commercially available,are polarization sensitive,that is,the system detection efficiency(SDE)of each channel is dependent on the state of polarization of the to-be-detected photons.Here,we reported an eight-channel system with fractal SNSPDs working in the wavelength range of 930 to 940 nm,which are all featured with low polarization sensitivity.In a close-cycled Gifford-McMahon cryocooler system with the base temperature of 2.2 K,we installed and compared the performance of two types of devices:(1)SNSPD,composed of a single,continuous nanowire and(2)superconducting nanowire avalanche photodetector(SNAP),composed of 16 cascaded units of two nanowires electrically connected in parallel.The highest SDE among the eight channels reaches 96+^(4)_(-5%),with the polarization sensitivity of 1.02 and a dark-count rate of 13 counts per second.The average SDE for eight channels for all states of polarization is estimated to be 90±5%.It is concluded that both the SNSPDs and the SNAPs can reach saturated,high SDE at the wavelength of interest,and the SNSPDs show lower dark-count(false-count)rates,whereas the SNAPs show better properties in the time domain.With the adoption of this system,we showcased the measurements of the second-order photon-correlation functions of light emission from a singlephoton source based on a semiconductor quantum dot and from a pulsed laser.It is believed that this work will provide new choices of systems with single-photon detectors combining the merits of high SDE,low polarization sensitivity,and low noise that can be tailored for different applications.

Photon-Counting Spectrometers Based on Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors

Optical spectrum analysis provides a wealth of information about the physical world.Throughout the development of optical spectrum analysis,sensitivity has been one of the major topics and has become essential in applications dealing with faint light.Various high-sensitivity optical detection technologies have been applied in optical spectrum analysis to enhance its sensitivity to single-photon level.As an emerging single-photon detection technology,superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors(SNSPDs)have many impressive features such as high detection efficiency,broad operation bandwidth,small timing jitter,and so on,which make them promising for enhancing the performance of optical spectral analysis.Diverse schemes for photon-counting spectrometers based on SNSPDs have been demonstrated.This article reviews these impressive works and prospects for the future development of this technology.Further breakthroughs can be expected in its theories,device performance,applications,and combinations with in-sensor computing,promoting it to be a mature and versatile solution for optical spectrum analysis on ultra-faint light.

Single photon response of superconducting nanowire single photon detector

Single photon detection is one of the key technologies for quantum key distribution in quantum communication. As a novel single photon detection technology, superconducting nanowire single photon detector (SNSPD) surpasses conventional semiconducting single photon detectors with high count rate and low dark count rate. In this article, we introduce SNSPD fabricated from NbN ultrathin superconducting film and lab-based SNSPD system. The characteristics of single photon response pulse of SNSPD are analyzed in detail. Also discussed is the relationship between waveform of single photon response and system bandwidth. Circuit model is made to analyze the performance of SNSPD. The simulation result agrees well with the experimental data. Those results are valuable for understanding the mechanism of SNSPD and building future SNSPD system for quantum communication.

Quest towards ultimate performance in superconducting nanowire single photon detectors

In 2007, superconducting nanowire single photon detectors （SSPD or SNSPD） [ 1 ] made an outstanding impact in the field of quantum information technology by demonstrating quan- tum key distribution （QKD） over a 200-kin optical fiber with a 42-dB optical loss using a practical SNSPD system [2]. This successful demonstration was realized thanks to its extremely low dark count rate （DCR） of a few Hz and short timing jitter of 60 ps, while the system detection efficiency （SDE） showed a poor value of 0.7% at a wavelength of 1550 nm.

Superconducting nanowire single-photon detection system and demonstration in quantum key distribution

We developed a superconducting nanowire single-photon detection(SNSPD) system based on Gifford-McMahon cryocooler for quantum communication applications.Environmental factors which may influence the system performance are intensively studied.Those factors include temperature fluctuations,the ambient magnetic field and the background radiation.By optimizing the bias circuit,the stability of SNSPD system to electrical noise and disturbance was effectively enhanced,thus making it more suitable for field application.A 4-channel SNSPD system with quantum efficiency higher than 4% at the dark count rate of 10 Hz for λ=1550 nm is integrated and applied into a quantum key distribution(QKD) experiment.QKD was successfully carried out over 100 km optical fiber with the final secure key rate of 1.6 kbps and the quantum bit error rate of less than 2%.

Supporting quantum technologies with an ultralow-loss silicon photonics platform

Photonic integrated circuits(PICs)are expected to play a significant role in the ongoing second quantum revolution,thanks to their stability and scalability.Still,major upgrades are needed for available PIC platforms to meet the demanding requirements of quantum devices.We present a review of our recent progress in upgrading an unconventional silicon photonics platform toward this goal,including ultralow propagation losses,low-fiber coupling losses,integration of superconducting elements,Faraday rotators,fast and efficient detectors,and phase modulators with low-loss and/or low-energy consumption.We show the relevance of our developments and our vision in the main applications of quantum key distribution,to achieve significantly higher key rates and large-scale deployment;and cryogenic quantum computers,to replace electrical connections to the cryostat with optical fibers.

基于运算放大器的超导纳米线单光子探测器低温直流耦合读出电路

超导纳米线单光子探测器(SNSPD)具有高计数率、高探测效率和低暗计数等优点,在光量子通信、光量子计算、激光测距与成像等领域发挥着重要作用.SNSPD的最大计数率(探测速度)会受前级读出电路的影响,为了提升最大计数率,通常需要使用一个宽带宽的低温直流耦合读出电路.本文报道了基于商用高速运算放大芯片OPA855搭建的SNSPD低温直流耦合放大读出电路,系统表征了该电路从室温300 K到低温4.2 K下的性能参数.通过提升OPA855的工作电压,解决了电路在低温下带宽损失的问题.进一步,将OPA855放大电路安装在40 K温区,使用其实现了SNSPD探测性能的实验评估.相对于常规室温交流耦合电路,SNSPD的最大计数率约提升了1.3倍.本研究可为OPA855芯片在高速SNSPD等低温领域提供相关参考信息.

基于超导单光子探测器的红外光学系统噪声分析和优化

高灵敏度的红外探测系统对于远距离探测有巨大的潜力,但光学系统内部的噪声会抑制探测系统的信噪比,从而降低探测灵敏度与探测距离.本文基于红外超导纳米线单光子探测器,设计了一个工作在中红外波段的光学系统,构建了红外光学系统自发辐射计算模型,理论分析了红外光学系统的信噪比和噪声特性.首次提出了利用高性能超导单光子探测器精确表征红外光学系统的微弱背景辐射光信号,为优化设计红外系统提供了依据.并且基于超导单光子探测器的光子计数能力,研究了光学系统的背景辐射对红外探测系统性能的影响,并优化了光学系统的性能.实验结果表明,超导单光子探测器对于分析红外光学系统具有较高的灵敏度,最小可分辨移动距离为2.74×10^(-2)mm,在黑体温度为100℃时,光子计数率提高了6.4×10^(4)cps(1 cps=1 cycle per second),光学系统的耦合效率提升了97%;在黑体温度为102℃时,光子计数率提高了9.1×10^(4)cps,光学系统的耦合效率提升了114%,降低了杂散辐射对探测系统的影响,同等条件下系统信噪比提升2.7倍,对于超导红外探测系统的应用研究具有重要意义.

阵列探测技术在激光测距中的应用

高精度的空间碎片观测数据对航天器碰撞预警具有重要意义,激光测距技术是目前空间目标距离测量中精度最高的一种技术,但大多数空间碎片上并未携带角反射器装置,激光测距回波信号较弱。阵列探测技术可以提高回波信号较弱的空间碎片激光测距探测成功概率,中国科学院云南天文台2015年开始开展基于阵列探测技术的激光测距试验,2017年成功将阵列超导纳米线单光子探测器和多通道事件计时器等阵列探测技术应用于激光测距试验系统中,分别在2017年3月和2018年3月的激光测距试验中,成功采集2×2和4×4阵列激光测距数据。其中探测到最小目标为轨道高度约1 000 km、大小为雷达截面(Radar Cross Section,RCS) 0.045 m^2的空间碎片;探测到最远目标为斜距约5 000 km、大小为RCS 18.25 m^2的空间碎片。

基于SNSPD与SPAD探测器的激光测距系统的比较研究

通过实验比较研究了基于SNSPD与SPAD探测器的激光测距系统.实验中,当接收回波端衰减120 d B时,天空光背景可忽略,基于SPAD的激光测距系统探测概率低于0.2%,而基于SNSPD的激光测距系统探测概率达35%;当激光发射频率低于1 k Hz,基于SNSPD的激光测距系统探测概率比SPAD高60%以上.研究表明:在探测弱信号回波光子时,SNSPD的探测性能远远优于SPAD,其原因是SNSPD具有较低的暗计数和高探测概率.与此同时,在接收端无衰减情况下,天空光背景会带来暗计数,影响测距系统信噪比.通过仿真分析表明,当背景亮度L0高于30 W/(m^2·sr)时,该基于SNSPD的激光测距系统的信噪比低于6,可能影响测距系统稳定探测.

超导纳米线单光子探测器件的制备

超导纳米线单光子探测器件(SNSPD)是超导单光子探测系统的核心器件。文中介绍了成功制备的基于5nm厚的NbN超导超薄薄膜的SNSPD器件。器件核心结构为150nm宽的纳米曲折线结构,纳米线条占空比为75%,面积为20μm×20μm。超导纳米线是利用电子束曝光(EBL)技术和反应离子刻蚀(RIE)等工艺技术制备的。所制备的SNSPD样品,在温度3.5K下的临界电流约12.9μA;在1310nm波长光波辐照,12.5μA的偏置电流下,探测效率约0.016%。

超导纳米线单光子探测现状与展望

超导纳米线单光子探测器(SNSPD)是一种量子极限灵敏度的光探测器。它的基本原理是利用光子能量实现超导纳米线库珀对的拆对,从而在超导纳米线局域发生超导-非超导相变。和传统半导体单光子探测器相比,具有探测效率高、暗计数低、时间抖动小、死时间短、宽谱响应以及自由运行等优势。高性能SNSPD已经在量子信息、激光通信、激光雷达等领域得到了广泛应用。文中概述了过去几年间国内外在SNSPD研发、应用成果及产业化等方面的进展,并对SNSPD未来的技术发展和应用进行了展望。

超导单光子探测器用1~2K制冷机热力学优化

对工作在1~2K的超导纳米线单光子探测器(SNSPD)用多级脉冲管预冷焦耳-汤普逊(JT)的复合制冷机制冷性能进行了系统的热力学优化研究。阐述了该复合制冷机的结构设计和工作机理;基于热力循环分析提出了焓流模型,同时建立了适用于3 K以下温区的实际流体质量流量模型,并将二者结合,分析复合制冷机的性能;探讨了理想情况下净制冷量随末级预冷温度和上游压力的变化特性,应用所提出的模型通过离散参数拟合方法对二者进行优化。发现对于He-4和He-3工质,多级脉冲管末级最优预冷温度分别为11 K和8 K;以He-4为工质,该复合制冷机能在2.2 K的温度下提供85 mW以上的制冷量;以He-3为工质,能在1.0 K提供18.5 mW的制冷量,该性能能够满足SNSPD的实际应用需求。

超薄超导材料特性及应用

介绍和讨论低温和高温超导超薄材料的制备及超导特性,并和普通非超薄超导材料特性相比较。超薄超导材料可以用于制备超导单光子探测器(Supercon ducting Single Photon Detector,简称SSPD)和超导热电子测辐射热仪(Superconducting Hot Electron Bolometer,简称SHEB)。详细分析并讨论其应用。

超导单光子探测器件直流特性研究

超导单光子探测技术是基于超薄超导薄膜的非平衡态热电子效应的一种新型的单光子探测方法。超导单光子探测器(SNSPD)的计数率可达到GHz,时间抖动小于100ps,因而在未来量子通信系统中有着广阔的应用前景。介绍了NbN超导单光子探测器件的工作原理和器件超导性能测试系统;测试了超导单光子探测器件的电阻-温度、电流-电压等特性。并对测试结果进行了分析和讨论。

超导约瑟夫森结微波单光子量子态测量的研究

超导状态下用约瑟夫森结构成的微波单光子探测电路测量量子系统状态,定量分析并探讨约瑟夫森结的量子特征,作为一种新兴的固态量子位状态测量系统,对未来的量子信息理论与量子位的研究有着显著的帮助.

基于超导纳米线单光子探测器深空激光通信模型及误码率研究

高速深空通信是深空探测的关键技术之一,具备单光子灵敏度的激光通信系统将大大提高现有的深空通信速度.然而,单光子条件下的激光通信不仅需要考虑传输环境的影响,还需要考虑实际单光子探测器性能和光子数量子态的分布.本文在不考虑大气湍流影响的情况下,以光电探测模型为基础,引入超导纳米线单光子探测器(SNSPD)系统的探测效率和暗计数,建立了反应系统差错性能的数学模型,提出了系统误码率的计算公式.先对公式中的光强和激光脉冲重复频率对误码率的影响进行仿真,再通过实验结果验证仿真模型.结果表明,光强对误码率的影响最明显,随着光强从0.01光子/脉冲到1000光子/脉冲的增加,误码率从10^(-1)到10^(-7)量级明显下降;激光脉冲重复频率对误码率的影响受到不同光强的制约,但都随着脉冲重复频率的增加呈下降趋势.与此同时,当增加光强或者提高速度时,误码率高于仿真结果,约在10^(-4)量级,其原因可能是实际通信中调制光信号的消光比不足和光纤引入背景噪声提高了系统暗计数.以上模型和实验结果为进一步开展基于SNSPD的月球-地球、火星-地球等高速深空激光通信奠定了基础.