|
|
Maslennikov, S., Antipov, S., Shishkov, A., Svechnikov, S., Voronov, B., Smirnov, K., et al. (2002). NbN HEB mixer noise temperature measurements with hot/cold load mounted inside the helium cryostat at 300 GHz. In Proc. Int. Student Seminar on Microwave Appl. of Novel Physical Phenomena supported by IEEE. St.-Petersburg: LETI.
|
|
|
|
Ozhegov, R., Morozov, D., Maslennikov, S., Okunev, O., Smirnov, K., & Gol'tsman, G. (2004). Submillimeter wave range imaging system for registering human body radiation and finding out the things covered under clothes. In Proc. 3rd Int. exhibition and conf. Non-Destructive Testing Equipment and Devices. Moscow.
|
|
|
|
Ozhegov, R., Maslennikov, S., Morozov, D., Okunev, O., Smirnov, K., & Gol'tsman, G. (2004). Imaging system for submillimeter wave range. In Proc. Tenth All-Russian sceintific conference of student-physicists and young sceintists (VNKSF-10). Moscow.
|
|
|
|
Maslennikov, S., Vachtomin, Y., Antipov, S., Smirnov, K., Kaurova, N., Grishina, E., et al. (2004). NbN HEB mixers for frequencies of 2.5 and 3.8 THz. In Proc. Tenth All-Russian sceintific conference of student-physicists and young sceintists (VNKSF-10). Moscow.
|
|
|
|
Kaurova, N. S., Finkel, M. I., Maslennikov, S. N., Vahtomin, Y. B., Antipov, S. V., Smirnov, K. V., et al. (2004). Submillimeter mixer based on YBa2Cu3O7-x thin film. In Proc. 1-st conf. Fundamental problems of high temperature superconductivity (291). Moscow-Zvenigorod.
|
|
|
|
Smirnov, K., Vachtomin, Y., Divochiy, A., Antipov, A., & Goltsman, G. (2015). Dependence of dark count rates in superconducting single photon detectors on the filtering effect of standard single mode optical fibers. Appl. Phys. Express, 8(2), 022501 (1 to 4).
|
|
|
|
Sidorova, M. V., Divochiy, A., Vakhtomin, Y. B., & Smirnov, K. V. (2015). Ultrafast superconducting single-photon detector with reduced-size active area coupled to a tapered lensed single-mode fiber. In International Society for Optics and Photonics (Ed.), Proc. SPIE (Vol. 9504, 950408 (1 to 9)).
|
|
|
|
Zolotov, P., Divochiy, A., Korneeva, Y., Vakhtomin, Y., Seleznev, V., & Smirnov, K. (2015). Capability investigation of superconducting single-photon detectors, optimized for 800–1200 nm spectrum range.
|
|
|
|
Ryabchun, S., Smirnov, A., Pentin, I., Vakhtomin, Y., Smirnov, K., Kaurova, N., et al. (2011). Superconducting single photon detector integrated with optical cavity. In Proc. MLPLIT (pp. 143–145). Modern laser physics and laser-information technologies for science and manufacture.
|
|
|
|
Maslennikova, A., Larionov, P., Ryabchun, S., Smirnov, A., Pentin, I., Vakhtomin, Y., et al. (2011). Noise equivalent power and dynamic range of NBN hot-electron bolometers. In Proc. MLPLIT (pp. 146–148). Modern laser physics and laser-information technologies for science and manufacture.
|
|
|
|
Verevkin, A., Xu, Y., Zheng, X., Williams, C., Sobolewski, R., Okunev, O., et al. (2001). Superconducting NbN-based ultrafast hot-electron single-photon detector for infrared range. In Proc. 12th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (pp. 462–468).
|
|
|
|
Gol'tsman, G., Semenov, A., Smirnov, K., & Voronov, B. (2001). Background limited quantum superconducting detector for submillimeter wavelengths. In Proc. 12th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (pp. 469–475).
|
|
|
|
Antipov, S. V., Svechnikov, S. I., Smirnov, K. V., Vakhtomin, Y. B., Finkel, M. I., Goltsman, G. N., et al. (2001). Noise temperature of quasioptical NbN hot electron bolometer mixers at 900 GHz. Physics of Vibrations, 9(4), 242–245.
|
|
|
|
Verevkin, A. A., Ptitsina, N. G., Smirnov, K. V., Goltsman, G. N., Gershenson, E. M., & Yngvesson, K. S. (1997). Direct measurements of electron energy relaxation times at an AlGaAs/GaAs heterointerface in the optical phonon scattering range. In Proc. 4-th Int. Semicond. Device Research Symp. (pp. 55–58).
|
|
|
|
Verevkin, A. A., Ptitsina, N. G., Smirnov, K. V., Gol'tsman, G. N., Voronov, B. M., Gershenzon, E. M., et al. (1997). Hot electron bolometer detectors and mixers based on a superconducting-two-dimensional electron gas-superconductor structure. In Proc. 4-th Int. Semicond. Device Research Symp. (pp. 163–166).
|
|
|
|
Lobanov, Y. V., Vakhtomin, Y. B., Pentin, I. V., Khabibullin, R. A., Shchavruk, N. V., Smirnov, K. V., et al. (2018). Characterization of the THz quantum cascade laser using fast superconducting hot electron bolometer. EPJ Web Conf., 195, 04004 (1 to 2).
|
|
|
|
Zinoni, C., Alloing, B., Li, L. H., Marsili, F., Fiore, A., Lunghi, L., et al. (2010). Erratum: “Single photon experiments at telecom wavelengths using nanowire superconducting detectors” [Appl. Phys. Lett. 91, 031106 (2007)]. Appl. Phys. Lett., 96(8), 089901.
Abstract: A calculation error was made in the original publication of this letter. The error was in the calculation of the noise equivalent power (NEP) values for the avalanche photodiode detector (APD) and the superconducting single photon detector (SSPD), the incorrect values were plotted on the right axis in Fig. 1(b). The correct NEP values were calculated with the same equation reported in the original letter and the revised Fig. 1(b) is shown below. The other conclusions of the paper remain unaltered.
|
|
|
|
Verevkin, A., Gershenzon, E. M., Gol'tsman, G. N., Ptitsina, N. G., Chulkova, G. M., Smirnov, K. S., et al. (2002). Direct measurements of energy relaxation times in two-dimensional structures under quasi-equilibrium conditions. In Mater. Sci. Forum (Vol. 384-3, pp. 107–116).
Abstract: A new microwave technique was successfully applied for direct studies of energy relaxation times in two-dimensional AlGaAs/GaAs structures under quasi-equilibrium conditions in the nanosecond and picosecond time scale. We report our results of energy relaxation time measurements in the temperature range 1.6-50 K, in quantum Hall effect regime in magnetic fields up to 4 T.
|
|
|
|
Gol’tsman, G., Okunev, O., Chulkova, G., Lipatov, A., Dzardanov, A., Smirnov, K., et al. (2001). Fabrication and properties of an ultrafast NbN hot-electron single-photon detector. IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., 11(1), 574–577.
Abstract: A new type of ultra-high-speed single-photon counter for visible and near-infrared wavebands based on an ultrathin NbN hot-electron photodetector (HEP) has been developed. The detector consists of a very narrow superconducting stripe, biased close to its critical current. An incoming photon absorbed by the stripe produces a resistive hotspot and causes an increase in the film’s supercurrent density above the critical value, leading to temporary formation of a resistive barrier across the device and an easily measurable voltage pulse. Our NbN HEP is an ultrafast (estimated response time is 30 ps; registered time, due to apparatus limitations, is 150 ps), frequency unselective device with very large intrinsic gain and negligible dark counts. We have observed sequences of output pulses, interpreted as single-photon events for very weak laser beams with wavelengths ranging from 0.5 /spl mu/m to 2.1 /spl mu/m and the signal-to-noise ratio of about 30 dB.
|
|
|
|
Semenov, A. D., Hübers, H. - W., Richter, H., Smirnov, K., Gol'tsman, G. N., & Voronov, B. M. (2004). Superconducting hot-electron bolometer mixer for terahertz heterodyne receivers. In Proc. 15th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (164).
Abstract: A number of on-going astronomical and atmospheric research programs are aimed to the Terahertz (THz) spectral region. At frequencies above about 1.4 THz heterodyne receivers planned for these missions will use superconducting hot-electron bolometers as a mixers. We present current results on the development of superconducting NbN hot- electron bolometer mixer and quasioptical radiation coupling scheme for GREAT (German Receiver for Astronomy at Terahertz Frequencies, to be used aboard of SOFIA) and TELIS (Terahertz Limb Sounder). The mixer is incorporated into hybrid antenna consisting of a planar feed antenna, which has either logarithmic spiral or double-slot configuration, and hyperhemispherical silicon lens. For the log-spiral feed antenna, the double side-band receiver noise temperature of 5500 K was achieved at 4.3 THz. The noise temperature shows less than 3 dB increase in the intermediate frequency band from 4 GHz to 7 GHz. The hybrid antenna had almost frequency independent and symmetric radiation pattern with the beam-width slightly broader than expected for a diffraction limited pattern. Results of FTS measurements in the direct detection regime agreed with the spectral dependence of the noise temperature for spiral antennas with different spacing of inner terminals.
|
|
|
|
Semenov, A. D., Hiibers, H. - W., Richter, H., Smirnov, K., Gol'tsman, G. N., Kaurova, N., et al. (2003). Superconducting hot-electron bolometer mixer for terahertz heterodyne receivers. In Proc. 14th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (pp. 33–40).
Abstract: A number of on-going astronomical and atmospheric research programs are aimed to the Terahertz (THz) spectral region. At frequencies above about 1.4 THz heterodyne receivers planned for these missions will use superconducting hot-electron bolometers as a mixers. We present recent results of the terahertz antenna development of superconducting NbN hot-electron bolometer mixer for GREAT (German Receiver for Astronomy at Terahertz Frequencies, to be used aboard of SOFIA) and TELIS (Terahertz Limb Sounder). The mixer is incorporated into hybrid antenna consisting of a planar feed antenna, which has either logarithmic spiral or double-slot configuration, and hyper hemispherical silicon lens. The hybrid antenna showed almost frequency independent and symmetric radiation pattern with the beam-width slightly broader than expected for diffraction limited antenna. The noise temperature as well as its spectral dependence changes with the bolometer sizes that provides additional tool for mixer optimization. FTS spectra measured in the direct detection regime agreed with the noise temperature spectra.
|
|
|
|
Korneeva, Y. P., Trifonov, A. V., Vakhtomin, Y. B., & Smirnov, K. V. (2011). Design of resonator for superconducting single-photon detector. Rus. J. Radio Electron., (12).
Abstract: A resonator for superconducting single-photon detector is designed. Near 60% coupling with a radiation propagating from a dielectric substrate of optical fiber is demonstrated to be achieved for typical values of the detector’s film sheet resistance.
|
|
|
|
Glejm, A. V., Anisimov, A. A., Asnis, L. N., Vakhtomin, Y. B., Divochiy, A. V., Egorov, V. I., et al. (2014). Quantum key distribution in an optical fiber at distances of up to 200 km and a bit rate of 180 bit/s. Bulletin of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Physics, 78(3), 171–175.
Abstract: An experimental demonstration of a subcarrier-wave quantum cryptography system with superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) that distributes a secure key in a single-mode fiber at distance of 25 km with a bit rate of 800 kbit/s, a distance of 100 km with a bit rate of 19 kbit/s, and a distance of 200 km with a bit rate of 0.18 kbit/s is described.
|
|
|
|
Smirnov, K. V., Vachtomin, Y. B., Ozhegov, R. V., Pentin, I. V., Slivinskaya, E. V., Korneev, A. A., et al. (2008). Fiber coupled single photon receivers based on superconducting detectors for quantum communications and quantum cryptography. In P. Tománek, D. Senderáková, & M. Hrabovský (Eds.), Proc. SPIE (Vol. 7138, 713827 (1 to 6)). Spie.
Abstract: At present superconducting detectors become increasingly attractive for various practical applications. In this paper we present results on the depelopment of fiber coupled receiver systems for the registration of IR single photons, optimized for telecommunication and quantum-cryptography. These receiver systems were developed on the basis of superconducting single photon detectors (SSPD) of VIS and IR wavelength ranges. The core of the SSPD is a narrow ( 100 nm) and long ( 0,5 mm) strip in the form of a meander which is patterned from a 4-nm-thick NbN film (TC=10-11 K, jC= 5-7•106 A/cm2); the sensitive area dimensions are 10×10 μm2. The main problem to be solved while the receiver system development was optical coupling of a single-mode fiber (9 microns in diameter) with the SSPD sensitive area. Characteristics of the developed system at the optical input are as follows: quantum efficiency >10 % (at 1.3 μm), >4 % (at 1.55 μm); dark counts rate ≤1 s-1; duration of voltage pulse ≤5 ns; jitter ≤40 ps. The receiver systems have either one or two identical channels (for the case of carrying out correlation measurements) and are made as an insert in a helium storage Dewar.
|
|
|
|
Elvira, D., Michon, A., Fain, B., Patriarche, G., Beaudoin, G., Robert-Philip, I., et al. (2010). Time-resolved spectroscopy of InAsP/InP(001) quantum dots emitting near 2 μm. Appl. Phys. Lett., 97(13), 131907 (1 to 3).
Abstract: By using superconducting single photon detectors, we perform time-resolved characterization of a small ensemble of InAsP/InP quantum dots grown by metal organic vapor phase epitaxy, emitting at wavelengths between 1.6 and 2.2 μm. We demonstrate that alloying phosphorus with InAs allows to shift the emission wavelength toward higher wavelengths, while keeping the high optical quality of these quantum dots at room temperature, with no decrease in their radiative lifetime. This work was partially supported by Russian Ministry of Science and Education: Federal State Program “Scientific and Educational Cadres of Innovative” state Contract Nos. 02.740.0228, 14.740.11.0343, 14.740.11.0269, and P931, and RFBR Project No. 09-02-12364.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Hübers, H. - W., Semenov, A., Richter, H., Birk, M., Krocka, M., Mair, U., et al. (2002). Terahertz Heterodyn Receiver with a hot-electron bolometer mixer. In U. Wolf, J. Farhoomand, & C. R. McCreight (Eds.), Far-IR, Sub-mm & MM Detector Technology Workshop (pp. 3–24). NASA CP. NASA.
Abstract: During the past decade major advances have been made regarding low noise mixers for terahertz (THz) heterodyne receivers. State of the art hot-electron-bolometer (HEB) mixers have noise temperatures close to the quantum limit and require less than a µW power from the local oscillator (LO). The technology is now at a point where the performance of a practical receiver employing such mixer, rather than the figures of merit of the mixer itself, are of major concern. We have incorporated a phonon-cooled NbN HEB mixer in a 2.5 THz heterodyne receiver and investigated the performance of the receiver. This yields important information for the development of heterodyne receivers such as GREAT (German receiver for astronomy at THz frequencies aboard SOFIA) [1] and TELIS (Terahertz limb sounder), a balloon borne heterodyne receiver for atmospheric research [2]. Both are currently under development at DLR.
|
|
|
|
Hübers, H. - W., Semenov, A., Richter, H., Birk, M., Krocka, M., Mair, U., et al. (2002). Terahertz heterodyne receiver with a hot-electron bolometer mixer. In J. Wold, & J. Davidson (Eds.), Proc. Far-IR, Sub-mm, and mm Detector Technology Workshop.
Abstract: During the past decade major advances have been made regarding low noise mixers for terahertz (THz) heterodyne receivers. State of the art hot-electron-bolometer (HEB) mixers have noise temperatures close to the quantum limit and require less than a µW power from the local oscillator (LO). The technology is now at a point where the performance of a practical receiver employing such mixer, rather than the figures of merit of the mixer itself, are of major concern. We have incorporated a phonon-cooled NbN HEB mixer in a 2.5 THz heterodyne receiver and investigated the performance of the receiver. This yields important information for the development of heterodyne receivers such as GREAT (German receiver for astronomy at THz frequencies aboard SOFIA)[1] and TELIS (Terahertz limb sounder), a balloon borne heterodyne receiver for atmospheric research [2]. Both are currently under development at DLR.
|
|
|
|
Semenov, A., Hübers, H. - W., Richter, H., Birk, M., Krocka, M., Mair, U., et al. (2002). Performance of terahertz heterodyne receiver with a superconducting hot-electron mixer. In Proc. 13th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (pp. 229–234).
Abstract: During the past decade major advances have been made regarding low noise mixers for terahertz heterodyne receivers. State of the art hot-electron-bolometer (HEB) mixers have noise temperatures close to the quantum limit and require less than a microwatt power from the local oscillator (L0). The technology is now at a point where the performance of a practical receiver employing such mixer, rather than the figures of merit of the mixer itself, is of major concern. We have incorporated a phonon-cooled NbN HEB mixer in a 2.5 THz heterodyne receiver and investigated its performance. This yields important information for future development of heterodyne receivers such as GREAT (German receiver for astronomy at THz frequencies aboard SOFIA) [1] and TELIS (Terahertz limb sounder), a balloon borne heterodyne receiver for atmospheric research [2]. Both are currently under development at DLR.
|
|
|
|
Jukna, A., Kitaygorsky, J., Pan, D., Cross, A., Perlman, A., Komissarov, I., et al. (2008). Dynamics of hotspot formation in nanostructured superconducting stripes excited with single photons. Acta Physica Polonica A, 113(3), 955–958.
Abstract: Dynamics of a resistive hotspot formation by near-infrared-wavelength single photons in nanowire-type superconducting NbN stripes was investigated. Numerical simulations of ultrafast thermalization of photon-excited nonequilibrium quasiparticles, their multiplication and out-diffusion from a site of the photon absorption demonstrate that 1.55 μm wavelength photons create in an ultrathin, two-dimensional superconducting film a resistive hotspot with the diameter which depends on the photon energy, and the nanowire temperature and biasing conditions. Our hotspot model indicates that under the subcritical current bias of the 2D stripe, the electric field penetrates the superconductor at the hotspot boundary, leading to suppression of the stripe superconducting properties and accelerated development of a voltage transient across the stripe.
|
|
|
|
Maslennikov, S. N., Morozov, D. V., Ozhegov, R. V., Smirnov, K. V., Okunev, O. V., & Gol’tsman, G. N. (2004). Imaging system for submillimeter wave range based on AlGaAs/GaAs hot electron bolometer mixers. In Proc. 5-th MSMW (Vol. 2, pp. 558–560).
Abstract: Electromagnetic radiation of the submillimeter (SMM) range is dispersed and absorbed significantly less than infrared (IR) radiation when passing through different objects. That is the reason for the development of an SMM imaging system. In this paper, we discuss the design of an SMM heterodyne imager, based on a matrix of AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructure hot electron bolometer mixers (HEB) with relatively high (about 77 K) operating temperature. The predicted double side band (DSB) noise temperature is about 1000 K and optimal local oscillator (LO) power is about 1 /spl mu/W for such mixers, which seems to be quite prospective for an SMM heterodyne imager.
|
|
|
|
Morozov, D. V., Smirnov, K. V., Smirnov, A. V., Lyakhov, V. A., & Goltsman, G. N. (2005). A millimeter-submillimeter phonon-cooled hot-electron bolometer mixer based on two-dimensional electron gas in an AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructure. Semicond., 39(9), 1082–1086.
Abstract: Experimental results obtained by studying the main characteristics of a millimeter-submillimeter wave mixer based on the hot-electron effect in a two-dimensional electron gas in a AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructure with a phonon-scattering cooling mechanism for charge carriers are reported. The gain bandwidth of the mixer is 4 GHz, the internal conversion losses are 13 dB, and the optimum local-oscillator power is 0.5 μW (for a mixer area of 1 μm2). It is shown that a millimeter-submillimeter-wave receiver with a noise temperature of 1900 K can be developed on the basis of a AlGaAs/GaAs mixer. This mixer also appears to be promising for use in array receiver elements.
|
|
|
|
Gol’tsman, G. N., Smirnov, K., Kouminov, P., Voronov, B., Kaurova, N., Drakinsky, V., et al. (2003). Fabrication of nanostructured superconducting single-photon detectors. IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., 13(2), 192–195.
Abstract: Fabrication of NbN superconducting single-photon detectors, based on the hotspot effect is presented. The hotspot formation arises in an ultrathin and submicrometer-width superconductor stripe and, together with the supercurrent redistribution, leads to the resistive detector response upon absorption of a photon. The detector has a meander structure to maximally increase its active area and reach the highest detection efficiency. Main processing steps, leading to efficient devices, sensitive in 0.4-5 /spl mu/m wavelength range, are presented. The impact of various processing steps on the performance and operational parameters of our detectors is discussed.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Hubers, H. - W., Semenov, A., Richter, H., Schwarz, M., Gunther, B., Smirnov, K., et al. (2004). Heterodyne receiver for 3-5 THz with hot-electron bolometer mixer. In J. Zmuidzinas, W. S. Holland, & S. Withington (Eds.), Proc. SPIE (Vol. 5498, pp. 579–586). SPIE.
Abstract: Heterodyne receivers for applications in astronomy and planetary research need quantum limited sensitivity. In instruments which are currently build for SOFIA and Herschel superconducting hot electron bolometers (HEB) will be used to achieve this goal at frequencies above 1.4 THz. The local oscillator and the mixer are the most critical components for a heterodyne receiver operating at 3-5 THz. The design and performance of an optically pumped THz gas laser optimized for this frequency band will be presented. In order to optimize the performance for this frequency hot electron bolometer mixers with different in-plane dimensions and logarithmic-spiral feed antennas have been investigated. Their noise temperatures and beam patterns were measured. Above 3 THz the best performance was achieved with a superconducting bridge of 2.0 x 0.2 μm2 incorporated in a logarithmic spiral antenna. The DSB noise temperatures were 2700 K, 4700 K and 6400 K at 3.1 THz, 4.3 THz and 5.2 THz, respectively. The results demonstrate that the NbN HEB is very well suited as a mixer for THz heterodyne receivers up to at least 5 THz.
|
|
|
|
Richter, H., Semenov, A., Hubers, H. - W., Smirnov, K., Gol’tsman, G., & Voronov, B. (2004). Phonon cooled hot-electron bolometric mixer for 1-5 THz. In Proc. 29th IRMMW / 12th THz (pp. 241–242).
Abstract: Heterodyne receivers for applications in astronomy and planetary research need quantum limited sensitivity. In instruments which are currently built for SOFIA and Herschel, superconducting hot electron bolometers (HEB) are used to achieve this goal at frequencies above 1.4 THz. In order to optimize the performance for this frequency of hot electron bolometer mixers with different in-plane dimensions and logarithmic-spiral feed antennas have been investigated. Their noise temperatures and beam patterns were measured. Above 3 THz the best performance was achieved with a superconducting bridge of 2.0/spl times/0.2 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ incorporated in a logarithmic spiral antenna. The DSB noise temperatures were 2700 K, 4700 and 6400 K at 3.1 THz, 4.3 THz and 5.2 THz, respectively. The results demonstrate that the NbN HEB is very well suited as a mixer for THz heterodyne receivers up to at least 5 THz.
|
|
|
|
Huebers, H. - W., Semenov, A., Richter, H., Birk, M., Krocka, M., Mair, U., et al. (2003). Superconducting hot electron bolometer as mixer for far-infrared heterodyne receivers. In T. G. Phillips, & J. Zmuidzinas (Eds.), Proc. SPIE (Vol. 4855, pp. 395–401). Presented at the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) Conference, 4855. Tucson, USA: SPIE.
Abstract: Heterodyne receivers for applications in astronomy need quantum limited sensitivity. In instruments which are currently under development for SOFIA or Herschel superconducting hot electron bolometers (HEB) will be used to achieve this goal at frequencies above 1.4 THz. We present results of the development of a phonon-cooled NbN HEB mixer for GREAT, the German Receiver for Astronomy at Terahertz Frequencies, which will be flown aboard SOFIA. The mixer is a small superconducting bridge incorporated in a planar feed antenna and a hyperhemispherical lens. Mixers with logarithmic-spiral and double-slot feed antennas have been investigated with respect to their noise temperature, conversion loss, linearity and beam pattern. At 2.5 THz a double sideband noise temperature of 2200 K was achieved. The conversion loss was 17 dB. The response of the mixer was linear up to 400 K load temperature. The performance was verified by measuring an emission line of methanol at 2.5 THz. The measured linewidth is in good agreement with the linewidth deduced from pressure broadening measurements at millimeter wavelength. The results demonstrate that the NbN HEB is very well suited as a mixer for far-infrared heterodyne receivers.
|
|
|
|
Hübers, H. - W., Semenov, A., Richter, H., Smirnov, K., Gol'tsman, G., & Voronov, B. (2002). Phonon cooled far-infrared hot electron bolometer mixer. In NASA/ADS.
Abstract: Heterodyne receivers for applications in astronomy need quantum-limited sensitivity. At frequencies above 1.4 THz superconducting hot electron bolometers (HEB) can be used to achieve this goal. We present results of the development of a quasi-optical phonon-cooled NbN HEB mixer for GREAT, the German heterodyne receiver for SOFIA. Different mixers with logarithmic spiral and double slot feed antennas have been investigated with respect to their noise temperature, conversion loss, linearity and beam pattern at several frequencies between 0.7 THz and 5.2 THz. At 2.5 THz a double sideband noise temperature of 2200 K was achieved. The conversion loss was 16 dB. The response of the mixer was linear up to 400 K load temperature. This performance was verified by measuring an emission line of methanol at 2.5 THz. The results demonstrate that the NbN HEB is very well suited as a mixer for FIR heterodyne receivers.
|
|
|
|
Shcheslavskiy, V., Morozov, P., Divochiy, A., Vakhtomin, Y., Smirnov, K., & Becker, W. (2016). Erratum: “Ultrafast time measurements by time-correlated single photon counting coupled with superconducting single photon detector” [Rev. Sci. Instrum. 87, 053117 (2016)] (Vol. 87).
Abstract: In the original paper1the Ref. 10 should be M. Sanzaro, N. Calandri, A. Ruggeri, C. Scarcella, G. Boso, M. Buttafava, and A. Tosi, Proc. SPIE9370, 93701T (2015).
|
|
|
|
Smirnov, K., Moshkova, M., Antipov, A., Morozov, P., & Vakhtomin, Y. (2021). The cascade switching of the photon number resolving superconducting single-photon detectors. IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., 31(2), 1–4.
Abstract: In this article, present the first detailed study of cascade switching in superconducting photon number resolving detectors. The detectors were made in the form of four parallel nanowires, coupled with the single-mode optical fiber and mounted into a closed-cycle refrigerator with a temperature of 2.1 K. We found out the value of additional false pulses (N cas.sw. ) appearing due to cascade switching and showed that it is possible to set up the detector bias current that corresponds to a high level of the detection efficiency and a low level of N cas.sw. simultaneously. We reached the detection efficiency of 60% and N cas.sw. = 0.3%.
|
|
|
|
Ryabchun, S., Korneev, A., Matvienko, V., Smirnov, K., Kouminov, P., Seleznev, V., et al. (2004). Superconducting single photon detectors array based on hot electron phenomena. In Proc. 15th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (pp. 242–247).
Abstract: In this paper we propose to use time domain multiplexing for large format arrays of superconducting single photon detectors (SSPDs) of the terahertz, visible and infrared frequency ranges based on ultrathin superconducting NbN films. Effective realization of time domain multiplexing for SSPD arrays is possible due to a short electric pulse of the SSPD as response to radiation quantum absorption, picosecond jitter and extremely low noise equivalent power (NEP). We present experimental results of testing 2×2 arrays in the infrared waveband. The measured noise equivalent power in the infrared and expected for the terahertz waveband is 10 – 21 WHz -1/2 . The best quantum efficiency (QE) of SSPD is 50% at 1.3 µm wavelength.
|
|
|
|
Korneev, A., Korneeva, Y., Manova, N., Larionov, P., Divochiy, A., Semenov, A., et al. (2013). Recent nanowire superconducting single-photon detector optimization for practical applications. IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., 23(3), 2201204 (1 to 4).
Abstract: In this paper, we present our approaches to the development of fiber-coupled superconducting single photon detectors with enhanced photon absorption. For such devices we have measured detection efficiency in wavelength range from 500 to 2000 nm. The best fiber coupled devices exhibit detection efficiency of 44.5% at 1310 nm wavelength and 35.5% at 1550 nm at 10 dark counts per second.
|
|
|
|
Meledin, D., Tong, C. Y. - E., Blundell, R., Kaurova, N., Smirnov, K., Voronov, B., et al. (2003). Study of the IF bandwidth of NbN HEB mixers based on crystalline quartz substrate with an MgO buffer layer. IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., 13(2), 164–167.
Abstract: In this paper, we present the results of IF bandwidth measurements on 3-4 nm thick NbN hot electron bolometer waveguide mixers, which have been fabricated on a 200-nm thick MgO buffer layer deposited on a crystalline quartz substrate. The 3-dB IF bandwidth, measured at an LO frequency of 0.81 THz, is 3.7 GHz at the optimal bias point for low noise receiver operation. We have also made measurements of the IF dynamic impedance, which allow us to evaluate the intrinsic electron temperature relaxation time and self-heating parameters at different bias conditions.
|
|
|
|
Vakhtomin, Y. B., Finkel, M. I., Antipov, S. V., Smirnov, K. V., Kaurova, N. S., Drakinskii, V. N., et al. (2003). The gain bandwidth of mixers based on the electron heating effect in an ultrathin NbN film on a Si substrate with a buffer MgO layer. J. of communications technol. & electronics, 48(6), 671–675.
Abstract: Measurements of the intermediate frequency band 900 GHz of mixers based on the electron heating effect (EHE) in 2-nm- and 3.5-nm-thick superconducting NbN films sputtered on MgO and Si substrates with buffer MgO layers are presented. A 2-nm-thick superconducting NbN film with a critical temperature of 9.2 K has been obtained for the first time using a buffer MgO layer.
|
|
|
|
Goltsman, G., Korneev, A., Izbenko, V., Smirnov, K., Kouminov, P., Voronov, B., et al. (2004). Nano-structured superconducting single-photon detectors. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 520(1-3), 527–529.
Abstract: NbN detectors, formed into meander-type, 10×10-μm2 area structures, based on ultrathin (down to 3.5-nm thickness) and nanometer-width (down to below 100 nm) NbN films are capable of efficiently detecting and counting single photons from the ultraviolet to near-infrared optical wavelength range. Our best devices exhibit QE >15% in the visible range and ∼10% in the 1.3–1.5-μm infrared telecommunication window. The noise equivalent power (NEP) ranges from ∼10−17 W/Hz1/2 at 1.5 μm radiation to ∼10−19 W/Hz1/2 at 0.56 μm, and the dark counts are over two orders of magnitude lower than in any semiconducting competitors. The intrinsic response time is estimated to be <30 ps. Such ultrafast detector response enables a very high, GHz-rate real-time counting of single photons. Already established applications of NbN photon counters are non-invasive testing and debugging of VLSI Si CMOS circuits and quantum communications.
|
|
|
|
Smirnov, K. V., Vachtomin, Y. B., Antipov, S. V., Maslennikov, S. N., Kaurova, N. S., Drakinsky, V. N., et al. (2003). Noise and gain performance of spiral antenna coupled HEB mixers at 0.7 THz and 2.5 THz. In Proc. 14th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (pp. 405–412).
Abstract: Noise and gain performance of hot electron bolometer (HEB) mixers based on ultrathin superconducting NbN films integrated with a spiral antenna was studied. The noise temperature measurements for two samples with different active area of 3 p.m x 0.24 .tni and 1.3 1..tm x 0.12 1.tm were performed at frequencies 0.7 THz and 2.5 THz. The best receiver noise temperatures 370 K and 1600 K, respectively, have been found at these frequencies. The influence of contact resistance between the superconductor and the antenna terminals on the noise temperature of HEB is discussed. The noise and gain bandwidth of 5GHz and 4.2 GHz, respectively, are demonstrated for similar HEB mixer at 0.75 THz.
|
|
|
|
Zinoni, C., Alloing, B., Li, L. H., Marsili, F., Fiore, A., Lunghi, L., et al. (2007). Single-photonics at telecom wavelengths using nanowire superconducting single photon detectors. In CLEO/QELS (QTuF6 (1 to 2)). Optical Society of America.
Abstract: Novel single-photon detectors based on NbN superconducting nanostructures promise orders-of- magnitude improvement over InGaAs APDs. We demonstrate this improved performance for the first time by measuring the g(2)(τ) on single photon states produced by a quantum dot at telecom wavelength.
|
|
|
|
Zhang, J., Pearlman, A., Slysz, W., Verevkin, A., Sobolewski, R., Okunev, O., et al. (2003). Infrared picosecond superconducting single-photon detectors for CMOS circuit testing. In CLEO/QELS (Cmv4). Optical Society of America.
Abstract: Novel, NbN superconducting single-photon detectors have been developed for ultrafast, high quantum efficiency detection of single quanta of infrared radiation. Our devices have been successfully implemented in a commercial VLSI CMOS circuit testing system.
|
|
|
|
Gol'tsman, G., Maslennikov, S., Finkel, M., Antipov, S., Kaurova, N., Grishina, E., et al. (2006). Nanostructured ultrathin NbN film as a terahertz hot-electron bolometer mixer. In Proc. MRS (Vol. 935, 210 (1 to 6)).
Abstract: Planar spiral antenna coupled and directly lens coupled NbN HEB mixer structures are studied. An additional MgO buffer layer between the superconducting film and Si substrate is introduced. The buffer layer enables us to increase the gain bandwidth of a HEB mixer due to better acoustic transparency. The gain bandwidth is widened as NbN film thickness decreases and amounts to 5.2 GHz. The noise temperature of antenna coupled mixer is 1300 and 3100 K at 2.5 and 3.8 THz respectively. The structure and composition of NbN films is investigated by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy methods. Noise performance degradation at LO frequencies more than 3 THz is due to the use of a planar antenna and signal loss in contacts between the antenna and the sensitive NbN bridge. The mixer is reconfigured for operation at higher frequencies in a manner that receiver’s noise temperature is only 2300 K (3 times of quantum limit) at LO frequency of 30 THz.
|
|
|
|
Vachtomin, Y. B., Antipov, S. V., Maslennikov, S. N., Smirnov, K. V., Polyakov, S. L., Zhang, W., et al. (2006). Quasioptical hot electron bolometer mixers based on thin NBN films for terahertz region. In Proc. 16th Int. Crimean Microwave and Telecommunication Technology (Vol. 2, pp. 688–689).
Abstract: Presented in this paper are the performances of HEB mixers based on 2-3.5 nm thick NbN films integrated with log-periodic spiral antenna. Double side-band receiver noise temperature values are 1300 K and 3100 K at 2.5 THz and at 3.8 THz, respectively. Mixer gain bandwidth is 5.2 GHz. Local oscillator power is 1-3 muW for mixers with different active area
|
|
|
|
Smirnov, K., Korneev, A., Minaeva, O., Divochij, A., Rubtsova, I., Antipov, A., et al. (2006). Superconducting single-photon detector for near- and middle IR wavelength range. In Proc. 16th Int. Crimean Microwave and Telecommunication Technology (Vol. 2, pp. 684–685).
Abstract: Presented in this paper are the results of research of NbN-film superconducting single-photon detector. At 2 K temperature, quantum efficiency in the visible light (0.56 mum) reaches 30-40 %. With the wavelength increase quantum efficiency decreases and comes to 20% at 1.55 mum and 0.02% at 5.6 mum. Minimum dark counts rate is 2times10-4s-1. The jitter of detector is 35 ps. The detector was successfully implemented for integrated circuits non-invasive optical testing. It is also perspective for quantum cryptography systems
|
|
|
|
Lobanov, Y. V., Vakhtomin, Y. B., Pentin, I. V., Rosental, V. A., Smirnov, K. V., Goltsman, G. N., et al. (2021). Time-resolved measurements of light–current characteristic and mode competition in pulsed THz quantum cascade laser. Optical Engineering, 60(8), 1–8.
Abstract: Quantum cascade lasers (QCL) are widely adopted as prominent and easy-to-use solid-state sources of terahertz radiation. Yet some applications require generation and detection of very sharp and narrow terahertz-range pulses with a specific spectral composition. We have studied time-resolved light-current (L–I) characteristics of multimode THz QCL operated with a fast ramp of the injection current. Detection of THz pulses was carried out using an NbN superconducting hot-electron bolometer with the time constant of the order of 1 ns while the laser bias current was swept during a single driving pulse. A nonmonotonic behavior of the L–I characteristic with several visually separated subpeaks was found. This behavior is associated with the mode competition in THz QCL cavity, which we confirm by L–I measurements with use of an external Fabry–Perot interferometer for a discrete mode selection. We also have demonstrated the possibility to control the L–I shape with suppression of one of the subpeaks by simply adjusting the off-axis parabolic mirror for optimal optical alignment for one of the laser modes. The developed technique paves the way for rapid characterization of pulsed THz QCLs for further studies of the possibilities of using this approach in remote sensing.
|
|
|
|
Smirnov, K. V., Vakhtomin, Y. B., Divochiy, A. V., Ozhegov, R. V., Pentin, I. V., & Gol'tsman, G. N. (2010). Infrared and terahertz detectors on basis of superconducting nanostructures. In IEEE (Ed.), Microwave and Telecom. Technol. (CriMiCo), 20th Int. Crimean Conf. (pp. 823–824).
Abstract: Results of development of single-photon receiving systems of visible, infrared and terahertz range based on thin-film superconducting nanostructures are presented. The receiving systems are produced on the basis of superconducting nanostructures, which function by means of hot-electron phenomena.
|
|
|
|
Okunev, O., Chulkova, G., Milostnaya, I., Antipov, A., Smirnov, K., Morozov, D., et al. (2005). Registration of infrared single photons by a two-channel receiver based on fiber-coupled superconducting single-photon detectors. In Proc. 2-nd CAOL (Vol. 2, pp. 282–285).
Abstract: Single-photon detectors (SPDs) are the foundation of all quantum communications (QC) protocols. Among different classes of SPDs currently studied, NbN superconducting SPDs (SSPDs) are established as the best devices for ultrafast counting of single photons in the infrared (IR) wavelength range. The SSPDs are nanostructured, 100 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ in total area, superconducting meanders, patterned by electron lithography in ultra-thin NbN films. Their operation has been explained within a phenomenological hot-electron photoresponse model. We present the design and performance of a novel, two-channel SPD receiver, based on two fiber-coupled NbN SSPDs. The receivers have been developed for fiber-based QC systems, operational at 1.3 /spl mu/m and 1.55 /spl mu/m telecommunication wavelengths. They operate in the temperature range from 4.2 K to 2 K, in which the NbN SSPDs exhibit their best performance. The receiver unit has been designed as a cryostat insert, placed inside a standard liquid-helium storage dewar. The input of the receiver consists of a pair of single-mode optical fibers, equipped with the standard FC connectors and kept at room temperature. Coupling between the SSPD and the fiber is achieved using a specially designed, precise micromechanical holder that places the fiber directly on top of the SSPD nanostructure. Our receivers achieve the quantum efficiency of up to 7% for near-IR photons, with the coupling efficiency of about 30%. The response time was measured to be <300 ps and it was limited by our read-out electronics. The jitter of fiber-coupled SSPDs is <35 ps and their dark-count rate is below 1 s/sup -1/. The presented performance parameters show that our single-photon receivers are fully applicable for quantum-correlation-type QC systems, including practical quantum cryptography.
|
|
|
|
Okunev, O., Chulkova, G., Milostnaya, I., Antipov, A., Smirnov, K., Morozov, D., et al. (2008). Registration of infrared single photons by a two-channel receiver based on fiber-coupled superconducting single-photon detectors. In I. A. Sukhoivanov, V. A. Svich, & Y. S. Shmaliy (Eds.), Proc. SPIE (Vol. 7009, 70090V (1 to 8)). SPIE.
Abstract: Single-photon detectors (SPDs) are the foundation of all quantum communications (QC) protocols. Among different classes of SPDs currently studied, NbN superconducting SPDs (SSPDs) are established as the best devices for ultrafast counting of single photons in the infrared (IR) wavelength range. The SSPDs are nanostructured, 100 μm2 in total area, superconducting meanders, patterned by electron lithography in ultra-thin NbN films. Their operation has been explained within a phenomenological hot-electron photoresponse model. We present the design and performance of a novel, two-channel SPD receiver, based on two fiber-coupled NbN SSPDs. The receivers have been developed for fiber-based QC systems, operational at 1.3 μm and 1.55 μm telecommunication wavelengths. They operate in the temperature range from 4.2 K to 2 K, in which the NbN SSPDs exhibit their best performance. The receiver unit has been designed as a cryostat insert, placed inside a standard liquid-heliumstorage dewar. The input of the receiver consists of a pair of single-mode optical fibers, equipped with the standard FC connectors and kept at room temperature. Coupling between the SSPD and the fiber is achieved using a specially designed, precise micromechanical holder that places the fiber directly on top of the SSPD nanostructure. Our receivers achieve the quantum efficiency of up to 7% for near-IR photons, with the coupling efficiency of about 30%. The response time was measured to be < 1.5 ns and it was limited by our read-out electronics. The jitter of fiber-coupled SSPDs is < 35 ps and their dark-count rate is below 1s-1. The presented performance parameters show that our single-photon receivers are fully applicable for quantum correlation-type QC systems, including practical quantum cryptography.
|
|
|
|
Antipov, A. V., Seleznev, V. A., Vakhtomin, Y. B., Morozov, P. V., Vasilev, D. D., Malevannaya, E. I., et al. (2020). Investigation of WSi and NbN superconducting single-photon detectors in mid-IR range. In IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng. (Vol. 781, 012011 (1 to 5)).
Abstract: Spectral characteristics of WSi and NbN superconducting single-photon detectors with different surface resistance and width of nanowire strips have been investigated in the wavelength range of 1.3-2.5 μm. WSi structures with narrower strips demonstrated better performance for detection of single photons in longer wavelength range. The difference in normalized photon count rate for such structures reaches one order of magnitude higher in comparison with structures based on NbN thin films at 2.5 μm.
|
|
|
|
Xu, Y., Zheng, X., Williams, C., Verevkin, A., Sobolewski, R., Chulkova, G., et al. (2001). Ultrafast superconducting hot-electron single-photon detector. In CLEO (345).
Abstract: Summary form only given. The current most-pressing need is to develop a practical, GHz-range counting single-photon detector, operational at either 1.3-/spl mu/m or 1.55-/spl mu/m radiation wavelength, for novel quantum communication and quantum cryptography systems. The presented solution of the problem is to use an ultrafast hot-electron photodetector, based on superconducting thin-film microstructures. This type of device is very promising, due to the macroscopic quantum nature of superconductors. Very fast response time and the small, (meV range) value of the superconducting energy gap characterize the superconductor, leading to the efficient avalanche process even for infrared photons.
|
|
|
|
Korneev, A., Minaeva, O., Rubtsova, I., Milostnaya, I., Chulkova, G., Voronov, B., et al. (2005). Superconducting single-photon ultrathin NbN film detector. Quantum Electronics, 35(8), 698–700.
Abstract: Superconducting single-photon ultrathin NbN film detectors are studied. The development of manufacturing technology of detectors and the reduction of their operating temperature down to 2 K resulted in a considerable increase in their quantum efficiency, which reached in the visible region (at 0.56 μm) 30%—40%, i.e., achieved the limit determined by the absorption coefficient of the film. The quantum efficiency exponentially decreases with increasing wavelength, being equal to ~20% at 1.55 μm and ~0.02% at 5 μm. For the dark count rate of ~10-4s-1, the experimental equivalent noise power was 1.5×10-20 W Hz-1/2; it can be decreased in the future down to the record low value of 5×10-21 W Hz-1/2. The time resolution of the detector is 30 ps.
|
|
|
|
Zhang, J., Boiadjieva, N., Chulkova, G., Deslandes, H., Gol'tsman, G. N., Korneev, A., et al. (2003). Noninvasive CMOS circuit testing with NbN superconducting single-photon detectors. Electron. Lett., 39(14), 1086–1088.
Abstract: The 3.5 nm thick-film, meander-structured NbN superconducting single-photon detectors have been implemented in the CMOS circuit-testing system based on the detection of near-infrared photon emission from switching transistors and have significantly improved the performance of the system. Photon emissions from both p- and n-MOS transistors have been observed.
|
|
|
|
Zinoni, C., Alloing, B., Li, L. H., Marsili, F., Fiore, A., Lunghi, L., et al. (2007). Single-photon experiments at telecommunication wavelengths using nanowire superconducting detectors. Appl. Phys. Lett., 91(3), 031106 (1 to 3).
Abstract: The authors report fiber-coupled superconducting single-photon detectors with specifications that exceed those of avalanche photodiodes, operating at telecommunication wavelength, in sensitivity, temporal resolution, and repetition frequency. The improved performance is demonstrated by measuring the intensity correlation function g(2)(τ) of single-photon states at 1300nm produced by single semiconductor quantum dots.
This work was supported by Swiss National Foundation through the “Professeur borsier” and NCCR Quantum Photonics program, FP6 STREP “SINPHONIA” (Contract No. NMP4-CT-2005-16433), IP “QAP” (Contract No. 15848), NOE “ePIXnet,” and the Italian MIUR-FIRB program.
|
|
|
|
Smirnov, A. V., Karmantsov, M. S., Smirnov, K. V., Vakhtomin, Y. B., Masterov, D. V., Tarkhov, M. A., et al. (2012). Terahertz response of thin-film YBCO bolometers. Tech. Phys., 57(12), 1716–1719.
Abstract: The bolometric response of high-temperature thin-film YBCO superconducting detectors to an electromagnetic radiation with a frequency of 2.5 THz is measured for the first time. The minimum value of the noise-equivalent power of the detectors is 3.5 × 10−9 W/Hz−−−√. The feasibility of further increasing the sensitivity of the detectors is discussed.
|
|
|
|
Shangina, E. L., Smirnov, K. V., Morozov, D. V., Kovalyuk, V. V., Gol’tsman, G. N., Verevkin, A. A., et al. (2010). Concentration dependence of the intermediate frequency bandwidth of submillimeter heterodyne AlGaAs/GaAs nanostructures. Bull. Russ. Acad. Sci. Phys., 74(1), 100–102.
Abstract: The concentration dependence of the intermediate frequency bandwidth of heterodyne AlGaAs/GaAs detectors with 2D electron gas is measured using submillimeter spectroscopy with high time resolution at T= 4.2 K. The intermediate frequency bandwidth f3dBfalls from 245 to 145 MHz with increasing concentration of 2D electrons n s = (1.6-6.6) × 10[su11] cm-2. The dependence f3dB ≈ n s – 0.04±is observed in the studied concentration range; this dependence is determined by electron scattering by the deformation potential of acoustic phonons and piezoelectric scattering.
|
|
|
|
Verevkin, A. A., Ptitsina, N. G., Smirnov, K. V., Voronov, B. M., Gol’tsman, G. N., Gershenson, E. M., et al. (1999). Multiple Andreev reflection in hybrid AlGaAs/GaAs structures with superconducting NbN contacts. Semicond., 33(5), 551–554.
Abstract: The conductivity of hybrid microstructures with superconducting contacts made of niobium nitride to a semiconductor with a two-dimensional electron gas in a AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructure has been investigated. Distinctive features of the behavior of the conductivity indicate the presence of multiple Andreev reflection at scattering centers in the normal region near the superconductor-semiconductor boundary.
|
|
|
|
Svechnikov, S. I., Finkel, M. I., Maslennikov, S. N., Vachtomin, Y. B., Smirnov, K. V., Seleznev, V. A., et al. (2006). Superconducting hot electron bolometer mixer for middle IR range. In Proc. 16th Int. Crimean Microwave and Telecommunication Technology (Vol. 2, pp. 686–687).
Abstract: The developed directly lens coupled hot electron bolometer (HEB) mixer was based on 5 nm superconducting NbN deposited on GaAs substrate. The layout of the structure, including 30x20 mcm^2 active area coupled with a 50 Ohm coplanar line, was patterned by photolithography. The responsivity of the mixer was measured in a direct detection mode in the 25-64 THz frequency range. The noise performance of the mixer and the directivity of the receiver were investigated in a heterodyne mode. A 10.6 mum wavelength CW CO2 laser was utilized as a local oscillator.
|
|
|
|
Finkel, M. I., Maslennikov, S. N., Vachtomin, Y. B., Svechnikov, S. I., Smirnov, K. V., Seleznev, V. A., et al. (2005). Hot electron bolometer mixer for 20 – 40 THz frequency range. In Proc. 16th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (pp. 393–397). Göteborg, Sweden.
Abstract: The developed HEB mixer was based on a 5 nm thick NbN film deposited on a GaAs substrate. The active area of the film was patterned as a 30×20 μm 2 strip and coupled with a 50 Ohm coplanar line deposited in situ. An extended hemispherical germanium lens was used to focus the LO radiation on the mixer. The responsivity of the mixer was measured in a direct detection mode in the 25÷64 THz frequency range. The noise performance of the mixer and the directivity of the receiver were investigated in a heterodyne mode. A 10.6 μm wavelength CW CO 2 laser was utilized as a local oscillator.
|
|
|
|
Ozhegov, R. V., Gorshkov, K. N., Smirnov, K. V., Gol’tsman, G. N., Filippenko, L. V., & Koshelets, V. P. (2010). Terahertz imaging system based on superconducting integrated receiver. In Proc. 2-nd Int. Conf. Terahertz and Microwave radiation: Generation, Detection and Applications (pp. 20–22).
Abstract: The development of terahertz imaging instruments for security systems is on the cutting edge of terahertz technology. We are developing a THz imaging system based on a superconducting integrated receiver (SIR). An SIR is a new type of heterodyne receiver based on an SIS mixer integrated with a flux-flow oscillator (FFO) and a harmonic mixer which is used for phase-locking the FFO. Developing an array of SIRs would allow obtaining amplitude and phase characteristics of incident radiation in the plane of the receiver. Employing an SIR in an imaging system means building an entirely new instrument with many advantages compare to traditional systems: i) high temperature resolution, comparable to the best results for incoherent receivers; ii) high spectral resolution allowing spectral analysis of various substances; iii) the local oscillator frequency can be varied to obtain images at different frequencies, effectively providing “color” images; iv) since a heterodyne receiver preserves the phase of the radiation, it is possible to construct 3D images. The paper presents a prototype THz imaging system using an 1 pixel SIR. We have studied the dependence of the noise equivalent temperature difference (NETD) on the integration time and also possible ways of achieving best possible sensitivity. An NETD of 13 mK was obtained with an integration time of 1 sec a detection bandwidth of 4 GHz at a local oscillator frequency of 520 GHz. An important advantage of an FFO is its wide operation range: 300-700 GHz.
|
|
|
|
Ozhegov, R. V., Gorshkov, K. N., Vachtomin, Y. B., Smirnov, K. V., Finkel, M. I., Goltsman, G. N., et al. (2014). Terahertz imaging system based on superconducting heterodyne integrated receiver. In C. Corsi, & F. Sizov (Eds.), Proc. THz and Security Applications (pp. 113–125). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands.
Abstract: The development of terahertz imaging instruments for security systems is on the cutting edge of terahertz technology. We are developing a THz imaging system based on a superconducting integrated receiver (SIR). An SIR is a new type of heterodyne receiver based on an SIS mixer integrated with a flux-flow oscillator (FFO) and a harmonic mixer which is used for phase-locking the FFO. Employing an SIR in an imaging system means building an entirely new instrument with many advantages compared to traditional systems.
In this project we propose a prototype THz imaging system using an 1 pixel SIR and 2D scanner. At a local oscillator frequency of 500 GHz the best noise equivalent temperature difference (NETD) of the SIR is 10 mK at an integration time of 1 s and a detection bandwidth of 4 GHz. The scanner consists of two rotating flat mirrors placed in front of the antenna consisting of a spherical primary reflector and an aspherical secondary reflector. The diameter of the primary reflector is 0.3 m. The operating frequency of the imaging system is 600 GHz, the frame rate is 0.1 FPS, the scanning area is 0.5 × 0.5 m2, the image resolution is 50 × 50 pixels, the distance from an object to the scanner was 3 m. We have obtained THz images with a spatial resolution of 8 mm and a NETD of less than 2 K.
|
|
|
|
Cherednichenko, S., Kroug, M., Merkel, H., Kollberg, E., Loudkov, D., Smirnov, K., et al. (2001). Local oscillator power requirement and saturation effects in NbN HEB mixers. In C. Iit.u.t.e of T. Jet Propulsion Laboratory (Ed.), Proc. 12th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (pp. 273–285). San Diego, CA, USA.
Abstract: The local oscillator power required for NbN hot-electron bolometric mixers (P LO ) was investigated with respect to mixer size, critical temperature and ambient temperature. P LO can be decreased by a factor of 10 as the mixer size decreases from 4×0.4 µm 2 to 0.6×0.13 µm 2 . For the smallest volume mixer the optimal local oscillator power was found to be 15 nW. We found that for such mixer no signal compression was observed up to an input signal of 2 nW which corresponds to an equivalent input load of 20,000 K. For a constant mixer volume, reduction of T c can decrease optimal local oscillator power at least by a factor of 2 without a deterioration of the receiver noise temperature. Bath temperature was found to have minor effect on the receiver characteristics.
|
|
|
|
Smirnov, K. V., Ptitsina, N. G., Vakhtomin, Y. B., Verevkin, A. A., Gol’tsman, G. N., & Gershenzon, E. M. (2000). Energy relaxation of two-dimensional electrons in the quantum Hall effect regime. JETP Lett., 71(1), 31–34.
Abstract: The mm-wave spectroscopy with high temporal resolution is used to measure the energy relaxation times τe of 2D electrons in GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures in magnetic fields B=0–4 T under quasi-equilibrium conditions at T=4.2 K. With increasing B, a considerable increase in τe from 0.9 to 25 ns is observed. For high B and low values of the filling factor ν, the energy relaxation rate τ −1e oscillates. The depth of these oscillations and the positions of maxima depend on the filling factor ν. For ν>5, the relaxation rate τ −1e is maximum when the Fermi level lies in the region of the localized states between the Landau levels. For lower values of ν, the relaxation rate is maximum at half-integer values of τ −1e when the Fermi level is coincident with the Landau level. The characteristic features of the dependence τ −1e (B) are explained by different contributions of the intralevel and interlevel electron-phonon transitions to the process of the energy relaxation of 2D electrons.
|
|
|
|
Pentin, I., Vakhtomin, Y., Seleznev, V., & Smirnov, K. (2020). Hot electron energy relaxation time in vanadium nitride superconducting film structures under THz and IR radiation. Sci. Rep., 10(1), 16819.
Abstract: The paper presents the experimental results of studying the dynamics of electron energy relaxation in structures made of thin (d approximately 6 nm) disordered superconducting vanadium nitride (VN) films converted to a resistive state by high-frequency radiation and transport current. Under conditions of quasi-equilibrium superconductivity and temperature range close to critical (~ Tc), a direct measurement of the energy relaxation time of electrons by the beats method arising from two monochromatic sources with close frequencies radiation in sub-THz region (omega approximately 0.140 THz) and sources in the IR region (omega approximately 193 THz) was conducted. The measured time of energy relaxation of electrons in the studied VN structures upon heating of THz and IR radiation completely coincided and amounted to (2.6-2.7) ns. The studied response of VN structures to IR (omega approximately 193 THz) picosecond laser pulses also allowed us to estimate the energy relaxation time in VN structures, which was ~ 2.8 ns and is in good agreement with the result obtained by the mixing method. Also, we present the experimentally measured volt-watt responsivity (S~) within the frequency range omega approximately (0.3-6) THz VN HEB detector. The estimated values of noise equivalent power (NEP) for VN HEB and its minimum energy level (deltaE) reached NEP@1MHz approximately 6.3 x 10(-14) W/ radicalHz and deltaE approximately 8.1 x 10(-18) J, respectively.
|
|
|
|
Verevkin, A., Pearlman, A., Slysz, W., Zhang, J., Currie, M., Korneev, A., et al. (2004). Ultrafast superconducting single-photon detectors for near-infrared-wavelength quantum communications. J. Modern Opt., 51(9-10), 1447–1458.
Abstract: The paper reports progress on the design and development of niobium-nitride, superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) for ultrafast counting of near-infrared photons for secure quantum communications. The SSPDs operate in the quantum detection mode, based on photon-induced hotspot formation and subsequent appearance of a transient resistive barrier across an ultrathin and submicron-width superconducting stripe. The devices are fabricated from 3.5 nm thick NbN films and kept at cryogenic (liquid helium) temperatures inside a cryostat. The detector experimental quantum efficiency in the photon-counting mode reaches above 20% in the visible radiation range and up to 10% at the 1.3–1.55 μn infrared range. The dark counts are below 0.01 per second. The measured real-time counting rate is above 2 GHz and is limited by readout electronics (the intrinsic response time is below 30 ps). The SSPD jitter is below 18 ps, and the best-measured value of the noise-equivalent power (NEP) is 2 × 10−18 W/Hz1/2. at 1.3 μm. In terms of photon-counting efficiency and speed, these NbN SSPDs significantly outperform semiconductor avalanche photodiodes and photomultipliers.
|
|
|
|
Smirnov, K., Divochiy, A., Vakhtomin, Y., Morozov, P., Zolotov, P., Antipov, A., et al. (2018). NbN single-photon detectors with saturated dependence of quantum efficiency. Supercond. Sci. Technol., 31(3), 035011 (1 to 8).
Abstract: The possibility of creating NbN superconducting single-photon detectors with saturated dependence of quantum efficiency (QE) versus normalized bias current was investigated. It was shown that the saturation increases for the detectors based on finer films with a lower value of Rs300/Rs20. The decreasing of Rs300/Rs20 was related to the increasing influence of quantum corrections to conductivity of superconductors and, in turn, to the decrease of the electron diffusion coefficient. The best samples have a constant value of system QE 94% at Ib/Ic ~ 0.8 and wavelength 1310 nm.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Smirnov, K. V., Vakhtomin, Y. B., Divochiy, A. V., Ozhegov, R. V., Pentin, I. V., Slivinskaya, E. V., et al. (2009). Single-photon detectors for the visible and infrared parts of the spectrum based on NbN nanostructures. In Proc. Progress In Electromagnetics Research Symp. (pp. 863–864). Moscow, Russia.
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 ofdetectors [1, 2] and their use both in fundamental and applied studies [3–6]. In this paper, wepresent the results of the development and fabrication of receiving systems for the visible andinfrared parts of the spectrum optimised for use in telecommunication systems and quantumcryptography.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Goltsman, G., Korneev, A., Divochiy, A., Minaeva, O., Tarkhov, M., Kaurova, N., et al. (2009). Ultrafast superconducting single-photon detector. J. Modern Opt., 56(15), 1670–1680.
Abstract: The state-of-the-art of the NbN nanowire superconducting single-photon detector technology (SSPD) is presented. The SSPDs exhibit excellent performance at 2 K temperature: 30% quantum efficiency from visible to infrared, negligible dark count rate, single-photon sensitivity up to 5.6 µm. The recent achievements in the development of GHz counting rate devices with photon-number resolving capability is presented.
|
|
|
|
Rasulova, G. K., Pentin, I. V., Vakhtomin, Y. B., Smirnov, K. V., Khabibullin, R. A., Klimov, E. A., et al. (2020). Pulsed terahertz radiation from a double-barrier resonant tunneling diode biased into self-oscillation regime. J. Appl. Phys., 128(22), 224303 (1 to 11).
Abstract: The study of the bolometer response to terahertz (THz) radiation from a double-barrier resonant tunneling diode (RTD) biased into the negative differential conductivity region of the I–V characteristic revealed that the RTD emits two pulses in a period of intrinsic self-oscillations of current. The bolometer pulse repetition rate is a multiple of the fundamental frequency of the intrinsic self-oscillations of current. The bolometer pulses are detected at two critical points with a distance between them being half or one-third of a period of the current self-oscillations. An analysis of the current self-oscillations and the bolometer response has shown that the THz photon emission is excited when the tunneling electrons are trapped in (the first pulse) and then released from (the second pulse) miniband states.
|
|
|
|
Shangina, E. L., Smirnov, K. V., Morozov, D. V., Kovalyuk, V. V., Gol’tsman, G. N., Verevkin, A. A., et al. (2010). Frequency bandwidth and conversion loss of a semiconductor heterodyne receiver with phonon cooling of two-dimensional electrons. Semicond., 44(11), 1427–1429.
Abstract: The temperature and concentration dependences of the frequency bandwidth of terahertz heterodyne AlGaAs/GaAs detectors based on hot electron phenomena with phonon cooling of two-dimensional electrons have been measured by submillimeter spectroscopy with a high time resolution. At a temperature of 4.2 K, the frequency bandwidth at a level of 3 dB (f 3 dB) is varied from 150 to 250 MHz with a change in the concentration n s according to the power law f 3dB ∝ n −0.5 s due to the dominant contribution of piezoelectric phonon scattering. The minimum conversion loss of the semiconductor heterodyne detector is obtained in structures with a high carrier mobility (μ > 3 × 105 cm2 V−1 s−1 at 4.2 K).
|
|
|
|
Verevkin, A. A., Ptitsina, N. G., Smirnov, K. V., Gol’tsman, G. N., Gershenzon, E. M., & Ingvesson, K. S. (1996). Direct measurements of energy relaxation times on an AlGaAs/GaAs heterointerface in the range 4.2–50 K. JETP Lett., 64(5), 404–409.
Abstract: The temperature dependence of the energy relaxation time τe (T) of a two-dimensional electron gas at an AlGaAs/GaAs heterointerface is measured under quasiequilibrium conditions in the region of the transition from scattering by acoustic phonons to scattering with the participation of optical phonons. The temperature interval of constant τe, where scattering by the deformation potential predominates, is determined. In the preceding, low-temperature region, where piezoacoustic and deformation-potential-induced scattering processes coexist, τ e decreases slowly with increasing temperature. Optical phonons start to participate in the scattering processes at T∼25 K (the characteristic phonon lifetime was equal to τLOτ4.5 ps). The energy losses calculated from the τe data in a model with an effective nonequilibrium electron temperature agree with the published data obtained under strong heating conditions.
|
|
|
|
Moshkova, M., Divochiy, A., Morozov, P., Vakhtomin, Y., Antipov, A., Zolotov, P., et al. (2019). High-performance superconducting photon-number-resolving detectors with 86% system efficiency at telecom range. J. Opt. Soc. Am. B, 36(3), B20.
Abstract: The use of improved fabrication technology, highly disordered NbN thin films, and intertwined section topology makes it possible to create high-performance photon-number-resolving superconducting single-photon detectors (PNR SSPDs) that are comparable to conventional single-element SSPDs at the telecom range. The developed four-section PNR SSPD has simultaneously an 86±3% system detection efficiency, 35 cps dark count rate, ∼2 ns dead time, and maximum 90 ps jitter. An investigation of the PNR SSPD’s detection efficiency for multiphoton events shows good uniformity across sections. As a result, such a PNR SSPD is a good candidate for retrieving the photon statistics for light sources and quantum key distribution systems.
|
|
|
|
Pentin, I., Finkel, M., Maslennikov, S., Vakhtomin, Y., Smirnov, K., Kaurova, N., et al. (2017). Superconducting hot-electron-bolometer mixers for the mid-IR. Rus. J. Radio Electron., (10), http://jre.cplire.ru/jre/oct17/9/text.pdf. Retrieved June 16, 2024, from http://jre.cplire.ru/jre/oct17/9/abstract_e.html
Abstract: The work presents the result of development of the NbN superconducting hot-electron-bolometer (HEB) mixer. The sensitive element of the mixer is directly coupled to mid-IR radiation, and doesn’t have planar metallic antenna. Investigations of noise characteristics of NbN HEB mixer were performed at the frequency 28.4 THz (λ = 10.6 µm) by using gas-discharge CW CO2-laser without consideration of optical and electrical losses in the heterodyne receiver. The noise temperature of NbN HEB mixer with the size of the sensitive element 10 µm × 10 µm was 2320 K (~ 1.5hν/kB) at the heterodyne frequency of 28.4 THz. The noise temperature was determined by measuring the Y-factor taking into account the term which describes fluctuations of zero-point oscillations in accordance with the fluctuation-dissipation theorem of Calle-Welton. Isothermal method was used to estimate the absorbed heterodyne radiation power which was 9 µW at the optimal operating point for the minimum noise temperature of NbN HEB mixer.
|
|
|
|
Gol’tsman, G. N., & Smirnov, K. V. (2001). Electron-phonon interaction in a two-dimensional electron gas of semiconductor heterostructures at low temperatures. Jetp Lett., 74(9), 474–479.
Abstract: Theoretical and experimental works devoted to studying electron-phonon interaction in the two-dimensional electron gas of semiconductor heterostructures at low temperatures in the case of strong heating in an electric field under quasi-equilibrium conditions and in a quantizing magnetic field perpendicular to the 2D layer are considered.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Sidorova, M. V., Divochiy, A. V., Vakhtomin, Y. B., & Smirnov, K. V. (2015). Ultrafast superconducting single-photon detector with a reduced active area coupled to a tapered lensed single-mode fiber. J. Nanophoton., 9(1), 093051.
Abstract: This paper presents an ultrafast niobium nitride (NbN) superconducting single-photon detector (SSPD) with an active area of 3×3 μm2 that offers better timing performance metrics than the previous SSPD with an active area of 7×7 μm2. The improved SSPD demonstrates a record timing jitter (<25 ps), an ultrashort recovery time (<2 ns), an extremely low dark count rate, and a high detection efficiency in a wide spectral range from visible part to near infrared. The record parameters were obtained due to the development of a new technique providing effective optical coupling between a detector with a reduced active area and a standard single-mode telecommunication fiber. The advantages of the new approach are experimentally confirmed by taking electro-optical measurements.
|
|
|
|
Shcheslavskiy, V., Morozov, P., Divochiy, A., Vakhtomin, Y., Smirnov, K., & Becker, W. (2016). Ultrafast time measurements by time-correlated single photon counting coupled with superconducting single photon detector. Rev. Sci. Instrum., 87, 053117 (1 to 5).
Abstract: Time resolution is one of the main characteristics of the single photon detectors besides quantum efficiency and dark count rate. We demonstrate here an ultrafast time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) setup consisting of a newly developed single photon counting board SPC-150NX and a superconducting NbN single photon detector with a sensitive area of 7 × 7 μm. The combination delivers a record instrument response function with a full width at half maximum of 17.8 ps and system quantum efficiency ~5% at wavelength of 1560 nm. A calculation of the root mean square value of the timing jitter for channels with counts more than 1% of the peak value yielded about 7.6 ps. The setup has also good timing stability of the detector–TCSPC board.
|
|
|
|
Antipov, S. V., Vachtomin, Y. B., Maslennikov, S. N., Smirnov, K. V., Kaurova, N. S., Grishina, E. V., et al. (2004). Noise performance of quasioptical ultrathin NbN hot electron bolometer mixer at 2.5 and 3.8 THz. In Proc. 5-th MSMW (Vol. 2, pp. 592–594). Kharkov, Ukraine.
Abstract: To put space-based and airborne heterodyne instruments into operation at frequencies above 1 THz the superconducting NbN hot-electron bolometer (HEB) will be incorporated into heterodyne receiver as a mixer. At frequencies above 1.3 THz the sensitivity of the NbN HEB mixers outperform the one of the Schottky diodes and SIS-mixers, and the receiver noise temperature of the NbN HEB mixers increase with frequency. In this paper we present the results of the noise temperature measurements within one batch of NbN HEB mixers based on 3.5 mn thick superconducting NbN film grown on Si substrate with MgO buffer layer at the LO frequencies 2.5 THz and 3.8 THz.
|
|
|
|
Seliverstov, S., Maslennikov, S., Ryabchun, S., Finkel, M., Klapwijk, T. M., Kaurova, N., et al. (2015). Fast and sensitive terahertz direct detector based on superconducting antenna-coupled hot electron bolometer. IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., 25(3), 2300304.
Abstract: We characterize superconducting antenna-coupled hot-electron bolometers for direct detection of terahertz radiation operating at a temperature of 9.0 K. The estimated value of responsivity obtained from lumped-element theory is strongly different from the measured one. A numerical calculation of the detector responsivity is developed, using the Euler method, applied to the system of heat balance equations written in recurrent form. This distributed element model takes into account the effect of nonuniform heating of the detector along its length and provides results that are in better agreement with the experiment. At a signal frequency of 2.5 THz, the measured value of the optical detector noise equivalent power is 2.0 × 10-13 W · Hz-0.5. The value of the bolometer time constant is 35 ps. The corresponding energy resolution is about 3 aJ. This detector has a sensitivity similar to that of the state-of-the-art sub-millimeter detectors operating at accessible cryogenic temperatures, but with a response time several orders of magnitude shorter.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Verevkin, A., Slysz, W., Pearlman, A., Zhang, J., Sobolewski, R., Okunev, O., et al. (2003). Real-time GHz-rate counting of infrared photons using nanostructured NbN superconducting detectors. In CLEO/QELS (CThM8). Optical Society of America.
Abstract: We demonstrate that our ultrathin, nanometer-width NbN superconducting single-photon detectors are capable of above 1-GHz-frequency, real-time counting of near-infrared photons. The measured system jitter of the detector is below 15 ps.
|
|
|
|
Semenov, A. V., Devyatov, I. A., Korneev, A. A., Smirnov, K. V., Goltsman, G. N., & Melnikov, A. P. (2012). Derivation of expression for thermodynamic potential of “dirty” superconductor. Rus. J. Radio Electron., (4).
Abstract: We derive a formula for thermodynamic potential of dirty superconductor which express it via isotropic quasiclassical Green functions of Usadel theory. Our result allows unify description of dynamic processes and fluctuations in superconducting nano-electronic devices.
|
|
|
|
Semenov, A. D., Hübers, H. - W., Richter, H., Birk, M., Krocka, M., Mair, U., et al. (2002). 2.5 THz heterodyne receiver with NbN hot-electron-bolometer mixer. Phys. C: Supercond., 372-376, 448–453.
Abstract: We describe a 2.5 THz heterodyne receiver for applications in astronomy and atmospheric research. The receiver employs a superconducting NbN phonon-cooled hot-electron-bolometer mixer and an optically pumped far-infrared gas laser as local oscillator. 2200 K double sideband mixer noise temperature was measured at 2.5 THz across a 1 GHz intermediate frequency bandwidth centred at 1.5 GHz. The total conversion losses were 17 dB. The mixer response was linear at load temperatures smaller than 400 K. The receiver was tested in the laboratory environment by measuring the methanol line in emission. Observed pressure broadening confirms the true heterodyne detection regime of the mixer.
|
|
|
|
Korneev, A., Vachtomin, Y., Minaeva, O., Divochiy, A., Smirnov, K., Okunev, O., et al. (2007). Single-photon detection system for quantum optics applications. IEEE J. Select. Topics Quantum Electron., 13(4), 944–951.
Abstract: We describe the design and characterization of a fiber-coupled double-channel single-photon detection system based on superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPD), and its application for quantum optics experiments on semiconductor nanostructures. When operated at 2-K temperature, the system shows 10% quantum efficiency at 1.3-¿m wavelength with dark count rate below 10 counts per second and timing resolution <100 ps. The short recovery time and absence of afterpulsing leads to counting frequencies as high as 40 MHz. Moreover, the low dark count rate allows operation in continuous mode (without gating). These characteristics are very attractive-as compared to InGaAs avalanche photodiodes-for quantum optics experiments at telecommunication wavelengths. We demonstrate the use of the system in time-correlated fluorescence spectroscopy of quantum wells and in the measurement of the intensity correlation function of light emitted by semiconductor quantum dots at 1300 nm.
|
|
|
|
Schroeder, E., Mauskopf, P., Pilyavsky, G., Sinclair, A., Smith, N., Bryan, S., et al. (2016). On the measurement of intensity correlations from laboratory and astronomical sources with SPADs and SNSPDs. In F. Malbet, M. J. Creech-Eakman, & P. G. Tuthill (Eds.), Proc. SPIE (Vol. 9907, 99070P (1 to 13)). SPIE.
Abstract: We describe the performance of detector modules containing silicon single photon avalanche photodiodes (SPADs) and superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs) to be used for intensity interferometry. The SPADs are mounted in fiber-coupled and free-space coupled packages. The SNSPDs are mounted in a small liquid helium cryostat coupled to single mode fiber optic cables which pass through a hermetic feed-through. The detectors are read out with microwave amplifiers and FPGA-based coincidence electronics. We present progress on measurements of intensity correlations from incoherent sources including gas-discharge lamps and stars with these detectors. From the measured laboratory performance of the correlation system, we estimate the sensitivity to intensity correlations from stars using commercial telescopes and larger existing research telescopes.
|
|
|
|
Ozhegov, R., Elezov, M., Kurochkin, Y., Kurochkin, V., Divochiy, A., Kovalyuk, V., et al. (2014). Quantum key distribution over 300. In A. A. Orlikovsky (Ed.), Proc. SPIE (Vol. 9440, 1F (1 to 9)). SPIE.
Abstract: We discuss the possibility of polarization state reconstruction and measurement over 302 km by Superconducting Single- Photon Detectors (SSPDs). Because of the excellent characteristics and the possibility to be effectively coupled to singlemode optical fiber many applications of the SSPD have already been reported. The most impressive one is the quantum key distribution (QKD) over 250 km distance. This demonstration shows further possibilities for the improvement of the characteristics of quantum-cryptographic systems such as increasing the bit rate and the quantum channel length, and decreasing the quantum bit error rate (QBER). This improvement is possible because SSPDs have the best characteristics in comparison with other single-photon detectors. We have demonstrated the possibility of polarization state reconstruction and measurement over 302.5 km with superconducting single-photon detectors. The advantage of an autocompensating optical scheme, also known as “plugandplay” for quantum key distribution, is high stability in the presence of distortions along the line. To increase the distance of quantum key distribution with this optical scheme we implement the superconducting single photon detectors (SSPD). At the 5 MHz pulse repetition frequency and the average photon number equal to 0.4 we measured a 33 bit/s quantum key generation for a 101.7 km single mode ber quantum channel. The extremely low SSPD dark count rate allowed us to keep QBER at 1.6% level.
|
|
|
|
Gol’tsman, G. N., Okunev, O., Chulkova, G., Lipatov, A., Semenov, A., Smirnov, K., et al. (2001). Picosecond superconducting single-photon optical detector. Appl. Phys. Lett., 79(6), 705–707.
Abstract: We experimentally demonstrate a supercurrent-assisted, hotspot-formation mechanism for ultrafast detection and counting of visible and infrared photons. A photon-induced hotspot leads to a temporary formation of a resistive barrier across the superconducting sensor strip and results in an easily measurable voltage pulse. Subsequent hotspot healing in ∼30 ps time frame, restores the superconductivity (zero-voltage state), and the detector is ready to register another photon. Our device consists of an ultrathin, very narrow NbN strip, maintained at 4.2 K and current-biased close to the critical current. It exhibits an experimentally measured quantum efficiency of ∼20% for 0.81 μm wavelength photons and negligible dark counts.
|
|
|
|
Korneeva, Y. P., Mikhailov, M. Y., Pershin, Y. P., Manova, N. N., Divochiy, A. V., Vakhtomin, Y. B., et al. (2014). Superconducting single-photon detector made of MoSi film. Supercond. Sci. Technol., 27(9), 095012.
Abstract: We fabricated and characterized nanowire superconducting single-photon detectors made of 4 nm thick amorphous Mox Si1−x films. At 1.7 K the best devices exhibit a detection efficiency (DE) up to 18% at 1.2 $\mu {\rm m}$ wavelength of unpolarized light, a characteristic response time of about 6 ns and timing jitter of 120 ps. The DE was studied in wavelength range from 650 nm to 2500 nm. At wavelengths below 1200 nm these detectors reach their maximum DE limited by photon absorption in the thin MoSi film.
|
|
|
|
Verevkin, A. A., Pearlman, A., Slysz, W., Zhang, J., Sobolewski, R., Chulkova, G., et al. (2003). Ultrafast superconducting single-photon detectors for infrared wavelength quantum communications. In E. Donkor, A. R. Pirich, & H. E. Brandt (Eds.), Proc. SPIE (Vol. 5105, pp. 160–170). SPIE.
Abstract: We have developed a new class of superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) for ultrafast counting of infrared (IR) photons for secure quantum communications. The devices are operated on the quantum detection mechanism, based on the photon-induced hotspot formation and subsequent appearance of a transient resistive barrier across an ultrathin and submicron-wide superconducting stripe. The detectors are fabricated from 3.5-nm-thick NbN films and they operate at 4.2 K inside a closed-cycle refrigerator or liquid helium cryostat. Various continuous and pulsed laser sources have been used in our experiments, enabling us to determine the detector experimental quantum efficiency (QE) in the photon-counting mode, response time, time jitter, and dark counts. Our 3.5-nm-thick SSPDs reached QE above 15% for visible light photons and 5% at 1.3 – 1.5 μm infrared range. The measured real-time counting rate was above 2 GHz and was limited by the read-out electronics (intrinsic response time is <30 ps). The measured jitter was <18 ps, and the dark counting rate was <0.01 per second. The measured noise equivalent power (NEP) is 2 x 10-18 W/Hz1/2 at λ = 1.3 μm. In near-infrared range, in terms of the counting rate, jitter, dark counts, and overall sensitivity, the NbN SSPDs significantly outperform their semiconductor counterparts. An ultrafast quantum cryptography communication technology based on SSPDs is proposed and discussed.
|
|
|
|
Meledin, D., Tong, C. Y. - E., Blundell, R., Kaurova, N., Smirnov, K., Voronov, B., et al. (2002). The sensitivity and IF bandwidth of waveguide NbN hot electron bolometer mixers on MgO buffer layers over crystalline quartz. In Harvard university (Ed.), Proc. 13th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (pp. 65–72). Cambridge, MA, USA.
Abstract: We have developed and characterized waveguide phonon-cooled NbN Hot Electron Bolometer (FMB) mixers fabricated from a 3-4 nm thick NbN film deposited on a 200nm thick MgO buffer layer over crystalline quartz. Double side band receiver noise temperatures of 900-1050 K at 1.035 THz, and 1300-1400 K at 1.26 THz have been measured at an intermediate frequency of 1.5 GHz. The intermediate frequency bandwidth, measured at 0.8 THz LO frequency, is 3.2 GHz at the optimal bias point for low noise receiver operation.
|
|
|
|
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).
|
|
|
|
Słysz, W., Węgrzecki, M., Bar, J., Grabiec, P., Górska, M., Zwiller, V., et al. (2006). Fiber-coupled single-photon detectors based on NbN superconducting nanostructures for practical quantum cryptography and photon-correlation studies. Appl. Phys. Lett., 88(26), 261113 (1 to 3).
Abstract: We have fabricated and tested a two-channel single-photon detector system based on two fiber-coupled superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs). Our best device reached the system quantum efficiency of 0.3% in the 1540-nm telecommunication wavelength with a fiber-to-detector coupling factor of about 30%. The photoresponse consisted of 2.5-ns-wide voltage pulses with a rise time of 250ps and timing jitter below 40ps. The overall system response time, measured as a second-order, photon cross-correlation function, was below 400ps. Our SSPDs operate at 4.2K inside a liquid-helium Dewar, but their optical fiber inputs and electrical outputs are at room temperature. Our two-channel detector system should find applications in practical quantum cryptography and in antibunching-type quantum correlation measurements.
The authors would like to thank Dr. Marc Currie for his assistance in early time-resolved photoresponse measurements and Professor Atac Imamoglu for his support. This work was supported by the Polish Ministry of Science under Project No. 3 T11B 052 26 (Warsaw), RFBR 03-02-17697 and INTAS 03-51-4145 grants (Moscow), CRDF Grant No. RE2-2531-MO-03 (Moscow), RE2-2529-MO-03 (Moscow and Rochester), and US AFOSR FA9550-04-1-0123 (Rochester). Additional funding was provided by the grants from the MIT Lincoln Laboratory and BBN Technologies Corp.
|
|
