Seleznev, V. A., Divochiy, A. V., Vakhtomin, Y. B., Morozov, P. V., Zolotov, P. I., Vasil'ev, D. D., et al. (2016). Superconducting detector of IR single-photons based on thin WSi films. In J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. (Vol. 737, 012032).
Abstract: We have developed the deposition technology of WSi thin films 4 to 9 nm thick with high temperature values of superconducting transition (Tc~4 K). Based on deposed films there were produced nanostructures with indicative planar sizes ~100 nm, and the research revealed that even on nanoscale the films possess of high critical temperature values of the superconducting transition (Tc~3.3-3.7 K) which certifies high quality and homogeneity of the films created. The first experiments on creating superconducting single-photon detectors showed that the detectors' SDE (system detection efficiency) with increasing bias current (I b) reaches a constant value of ~30% (for X=1.55 micron) defined by infrared radiation absorption by the superconducting structure. To enhance radiation absorption by the superconductor there were created detectors with cavity structures which demonstrated a practically constant value of quantum efficiency >65% for bias currents Ib>0.6-Ic. The minimal dark counts level (DC) made 1 s-1 limited with background noise. Hence WSi is the most promising material for creating single-photon detectors with record SDE/DC ratio and noise equivalent power (NEP).
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Moshkova, M., Morozov, P., Divochiy, A., Vakhtomin, Y., & Smirnov, K. (2019). Large active area superconducting single photon detector. In J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. (Vol. 1410, 012139).
Abstract: We present development of large active area superconducting single-photon detectors well coupled with standard 50 μm-core multi-mode fiber. The sensitive area of the SSPD is patterned using the photon-number-resolving design and occupies an area of 40×40 μm2. Using this approach, we have obtained excellent specifications: system detection efficiency of 47% measured using a 900 nm laser and low dark count rate of 100 cps. The main advantages of the approach presented are a very short dead time of the detector of 22 ns and FWHM jitter value of about 130 ps.
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Zolotov, P. I., Divochiy, A. V., Vakhtomin, Y. B., Lubenchenko, A. V., Morozov, P. V., Shurkaeva, I. V., et al. (2018). Influence of sputtering parameters on the main characteristics of ultra-thin vanadium nitride films. In J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. (Vol. 1124, 051030).
Abstract: We researched the relation between deposition and ultra-thin VN films parameters. To conduct the experimental study we varied substrate temperature, Ar and N2 partial pressures and deposition rate. The study allowed us to obtain the films with close to the bulk values transition temperatures and implement such samples in order to fabricate superconducting single-photon detectors.
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Romanov, N. R., Zolotov, P. I., Vakhtomin, Y. B., Divochiy, A. V., & Smirnov, K. V. (2018). Electron diffusivity measurements of VN superconducting single-photon detectors. In J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. (Vol. 1124, 051032).
Abstract: The research of ultrathin vanadium nitride (VN) films as a promising candidate for superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPD) is presented. The electron diffusivity measurements are performed for such devices. Devices that were fabricated out from 9.9 nm films had diffusivity coefficient of 0.41 cm2/s and from 5.4 nm – 0.54 cm2/s. Obtained values are similar to other typical SSPD materials. The diffusivity that increases along with decreasing of the film thickness is expected to allow fabrication of the devices with improved characteristics. Fabricated VN SSPDs showed prominent single-photon response in the range 0.9-1.55 µm.
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Zolotov, P. I., Divochiy, A. V., Vakhtomin, Y. B., Morozov, P. V., Seleznev, V. A., & Smirnov, K. V. (2017). Development of high-effective superconducting single-photon detectors aimed for mid-IR spectrum range. In J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. (Vol. 917, 062037).
Abstract: We report on development of superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPD) with high intrinsic quantum efficiency in the wavelength range 1.31 – 3.3 μm. By optimization of the NbN film thickness and its compound, we managed to improve detection efficiency of the detectors in the range up to 3.3 μm. Optimized devices showed intrinsic quantum efficiencies as high as 10% at mid-IR range.
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Zolotov, P., Divochiy, A., Vakhtomin, Y., Seleznev, V., Morozov, P., & Smirnov, K. (2018). Superconducting single-photon detectors made of ultra-thin VN films. In KnE Energy (Vol. 3, pp. 83–89).
Abstract: We optimized technology of thin VN films deposition in order to study VN-based superconducting single-photon detectors. Investigation of the main VN film parameters showed that this material has lower resistivity compared to commonly used NbN. Fabricated from obtained films devices showed 100% intrinsic detection efficiency at 900 nm, at the temperature of 1.7 K starting with the bias current of 0.7·I
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Marksteiner, M., Divochiy, A., Sclafani, M., Haslinger, P., Ulbricht, H., Korneev, A., et al. (2009). A superconducting NbN detector for neutral nanoparticles. Nanotechnol., 20(45), 455501.
Abstract: We present a proof-of-principle study of superconducting single photon detectors (SSPD) for the detection of individual neutral molecules/nanoparticles at low energies. The new detector is applied to characterize a laser desorption source for biomolecules and allows retrieval of the arrival time distribution of a pulsed molecular beam containing the amino acid tryptophan, the polypeptide gramicidin as well as insulin, myoglobin and hemoglobin. We discuss the experimental evidence that the detector is actually sensitive to isolated neutral particles.
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Sclafani, M., Marksteiner, M., Keir, F. M. L., Divochiy, A., Korneev, A., Semenov, A., et al. (2012). Sensitivity of a superconducting nanowire detector for single ions at low energy. Nanotechnol., 23(6), 065501 (1 to 5).
Abstract: We report on the characterization of a superconducting nanowire detector for ions at low kinetic energies. We measure the absolute single-particle detection efficiency eta and trace its increase with energy up to eta = 100%. We discuss the influence of noble gas adsorbates on the cryogenic surface and analyze their relevance for the detection of slow massive particles. We apply a recent model for the hot-spot formation to the incidence of atomic ions at energies between 0.2 and 1 keV. We suggest how the differences observed for photons and atoms or molecules can be related to the surface condition of the detector and we propose that the restoration of proper surface conditions may open a new avenue for SSPD-based optical spectroscopy on molecules and nanoparticles.
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Morozov, P., Lukina, M., Shirmanova, M., Divochiy, A., Dudenkova, V., Gol'tsman, G. N., et al. (2021). Singlet oxygen phosphorescence imaging by superconducting single-photon detector and time-correlated single-photon counting. Opt. Lett., 46(6), 1217–1220.
Abstract: 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.
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Divochiy, A., Misiaszek, M., Vakhtomin, Y., Morozov, P., Smirnov, K., Zolotov, P., et al. (2018). Single photon detection system for visible and infrared spectrum range. Opt. Lett., 43(24), 6085–6088.
Abstract: We demonstrate niobium nitride based superconducting single-photon detectors sensitive in the spectral range 452-2300 nm. The system performance was tested in a real-life experiment with correlated photons generated by means of spontaneous parametric downconversion, where one photon was in the visible range and the other was in the infrared range. We measured a signal to noise ratio as high as 4x10(4) in our detection setting. A photon detection efficiency as high as 64% at 1550 nm and 15% at 2300 nm was observed.
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Vorobyov, V. V., Kazakov, A. Y., Soshenko, V. V., Korneev, A. A., Shalaginov, M. Y., Bolshedvorskii, S. V., et al. (2017). Superconducting detector for visible and near-infrared quantum emitters [Invited]. Opt. Mater. Express, 7(2), 513–526.
Abstract: Further development of quantum emitter based communication and sensing applications intrinsically depends on the availability of robust single-photon detectors. Here, we demonstrate a new generation of superconducting single-photon detectors specifically optimized for the 500–1100 nm wavelength range, which overlaps with the emission spectrum of many interesting solid-state atom-like systems, such as nitrogen-vacancy and silicon-vacancy centers in diamond. The fabricated detectors have a wide dynamic range (up to 350 million counts per second), low dark count rate (down to 0.1 counts per second), excellent jitter (62 ps), and the possibility of on-chip integration with a quantum emitter. In addition to performance characterization, we tested the detectors in real experimental conditions involving nanodiamond nitrogen-vacancy emitters enhanced by a hyperbolic metamaterial.
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Zolotov, P. I., Vakhtomin, Y. B., Divochiy, A. V., Seleznev, V. A., & Smirnov, K. V. (2016). Technology development of resonator-based structures for efficiency increasing of NBN detectors of IR single photons. Proc. 5th Int. Conf. Photonics and Information Optics, , 115–116.
Abstract: This paper presents a technology of fabrication of NbN superconductive single- photon detectors, using resonator structures. The main results are related to optimization of the process of NbN sputtering over substrate with metallic mirrors and SiO 2 /Si 3 N 4 layers /4 thick. Investigation of the quantum efficiency of fabricated devices at 1.6 K on 1.55 μm showed triple-magnified value compared to standard Si/NbN structures.
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Moshkova, M. A., Divochiy, A. V., Morozov, P. V., Antipov, A. V., Vakhtomin, Y. B., & Smirnov, K. V. (2019). Characterization of topologies of superconducting photon number resolving detectors. In Proc. 8th Int. Conf. Photonics and Information Optics (pp. 465–466).
Abstract: Comparative analysis for different topologies of superconducting single-photon detectors with ability to resolve up to 4 photons in a short pulse of IR radiation has been carry out. It was developed the detector with a system detection efficiency of ~ 85 % at λ = 1550 nm. The possibility of using such detector to restore photon statistics of a pulsed radiation source was demonstrated.
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Kitaygorsky, J., Komissarov, I., Jukna, A., Minaeva, O., Kaurova, N., Divochiy, A., et al. (2007). Fluctuations in two-dimensional superconducting NbN nanobridges and nanostructures meanders. In Proc. APS March Meeting (Vol. 52, L9.00013).
Abstract: We have observed fluctuations, manifested as sub-nanosecond to nanosecond transient, millivolt-amplitude voltage pulses, generated in two-dimensional NbN nanobridges, as well as in extended superconducting meander nanostructures, designed for single photon counting. Both nanobridges and nano-stripe meanders were biased at currents close to the critical current and measured in a range of temperatures from 1.5 to 8 K. During the tests, the devices were blocked from all incoming radiation by a metallic enclosure and shielded from any external magnetic fields. We attribute the observed spontaneous voltage pulses to the Kosterlitz-Thouless-type fluctuations, where the high enough applied bias current reduces the binding energy of vortex-antivortex pairs and, subsequently, thermal fluctuations break them apart causing the order parameter to momentarily reduce to zero, which in turn causes a transient voltage pulse. The duration of the voltage pulses depended on the device geometry (with the high-kinetic inductance meander structures having longer, nanosecond, pulses) while their rate was directly related to the biasing current as well as temperature.
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Ozhegov, R. V., Smirnov, A. V., Vakhtomin, Y. B., Smirnov, K. V., Divochiy, A. V., & Goltsman, G. N. (2009). Ultrafast superconducting bolometer receivers for terahertz applications. In Proc. PIERS (867). 777 Concord Avenue, Suite 207 Cambridge, MA 02138: The Electromagnetics Academy.
Abstract: The research by the group of Moscow State Pedagogical University into the hot-electron phenomena in thin superconducting films has led to the development of new types of detectors and their use both in fundamental and applied studies. In this paper, we present the results of testing the terahertz HEB receiver systems based on ultrathin (∼ 4 nm) NbN and MoRe detectors with a response time of 50 ps and 1 ns, respectively. We have developed three types of devices which differ in the way a terahertz signal is coupled to the detector and cover the following ranges: 0.3–3 THz, 0.1–30 THz and 25–70 THz. In the case of the receiving system optimized for 0.3–3 THz, the sensitive element (a strip of asuperconductor with planar dimensions of 0.2μm (length) by 1.7μm (width)) was integrated witha planar broadband log-spiral antenna. For additional focusing ofthe incident radiation a silicon hyperhemispherical lens was used. For the 0.1–30 THz receivingsystem, the sensitive element was patterned as parallel strips(2μm wide each) filling an area of 500×500μm2with a filling factor of 0.5. In the receivingsystem of this type we used direct coupling of the incident radiation to the sensitive element. Inthe 25–70 THz range (detector type 2/2a in Table 1) we used a square-shaped superconductingdetector with planar dimensions of 10×10μm2. Incident radiation was coupled to the detectorwith the use of a germanium hyperhemispherical lens.The response time of the above receiving systems is determined by the cooling rate of the hotelectrons in the film. That depends on the electron-phonon interaction time, which is less forultrathin NbN than in MoRe.
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