Records |
Author |
Verevkin, A. A.; Pearlman, A.; Slysz, W.; Zhang, J.; Sobolewski, R.; Chulkova, G.; Okunev, O.; Kouminov, P.; Drakinskij, V.; Smirnov, K.; Kaurova, N.; Voronov, B.; Gol’tsman, G.; Currie, M. |
Title |
Ultrafast superconducting single-photon detectors for infrared wavelength quantum communications |
Type |
Conference Article |
Year |
2003 |
Publication |
Proc. SPIE |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. SPIE |
Volume |
5105 |
Issue |
|
Pages |
160-170 |
Keywords |
NbN SSPD, SNSPD, applications, single-photon detector, quantum cryptography, quantum communications, superconducting devices |
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. |
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Publisher |
SPIE |
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Editor |
Donkor, E.; Pirich, A.R.; Brandt, H.E. |
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Conference |
Quantum Information and Computation |
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no |
Call Number |
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Serial |
1514 |
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Author |
Slysz, W.; Wegrzecki, M.; Bar, J.; Grabiec, P.; Gorska, M.; Rieger, E.; Dorenbos, P.; Zwiller, V.; Milostnaya, I.; Minaeva, O.; Antipov, A.; Okunev, O.; Korneev, A.; Smirnov, K.; Voronov, B.; Kaurova, N.; Gol’tsman, G.N.; Kitaygorsky, J.; Pan, D.; Pearlman, A.; Cross, A.; Komissarov, I.; Sobolewski, R. |
Title |
Fiber-coupled NbN superconducting single-photon detectors for quantum correlation measurements |
Type |
Conference Article |
Year |
2007 |
Publication |
Proc. SPIE |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. SPIE |
Volume |
6583 |
Issue |
|
Pages |
65830J (1 to 11) |
Keywords |
NbN SSPD, SNSPD, superconducting single-photon detectors, single-photon detectors, fiber-coupled optical detectors, quantum correlations, superconducting devices |
Abstract |
We have fabricated fiber-coupled superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs), designed for quantum-correlationtype experiments. The SSPDs are nanostructured ( 100-nm wide and 4-nm thick) NbN superconducting meandering stripes, operated in the 2 to 4.2 K temperature range, and known for ultrafast and efficient detection of visible to nearinfrared photons with almost negligible dark counts. Our latest devices are pigtailed structures with coupling between the SSPD structure and a single-mode optical fiber achieved using a micromechanical photoresist ring placed directly over the meander. The above arrangement withstands repetitive thermal cycling between liquid helium and room temperature, and we can reach the coupling efficiency of up to 33%. The system quantum efficiency, measured as the ratio of the photons counted by SSPD to the total number of photons coupled into the fiber, in our early devices was found to be around 0.3 % and 1% for 1.55 &mgr;m and 0.9 &mgr;m photon wavelengths, respectively. The photon counting rate exceeded 250 MHz. The receiver with two SSPDs, each individually biased, was placed inside a transport, 60-liter liquid helium Dewar, assuring uninterrupted operation for over 2 months. Since the receiver’s optical and electrical connections are at room temperature, the set-up is suitable for any applications, where single-photon counting capability and fast count rates are desired. In our case, it was implemented for photon correlation experiments. The receiver response time, measured as a second-order photon cross-correlation function, was found to be below 400 ps, with timing jitter of less than 40 ps. |
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Publisher |
Spie |
Place of Publication |
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Editor |
Dusek, M.; Hillery, M.S.; Schleich, W.P.; Prochazka, I.; Migdall, A.L.; Pauchard, A. |
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Conference |
Photon Counting Applications, Quantum Optics, and Quantum Cryptography |
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no |
Call Number |
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Serial |
1431 |
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Author |
Meledin, D.; Tong, C. Y.-E.; Blundell, R.; Kaurova, N.; Smirnov, K.; Voronov, B.; Gol'tsman, G. |
Title |
The sensitivity and IF bandwidth of waveguide NbN hot electron bolometer mixers on MgO buffer layers over crystalline quartz |
Type |
Conference Article |
Year |
2002 |
Publication |
Proc. 13th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. 13th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. |
Volume |
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Issue |
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Pages |
65-72 |
Keywords |
waveguide NbN HEB mixers |
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. |
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Place of Publication |
Cambridge, MA, USA |
Editor |
Harvard university |
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no |
Call Number |
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Serial |
326 |
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Author |
Smirnov, K. V.; Vakhtomin, Yu. B.; Divochiy, A. V.; Ozhegov, R. V.; Pentin, I. V.; Gol'tsman, G. N. |
Title |
Infrared and terahertz detectors on basis of superconducting nanostructures |
Type |
Conference Article |
Year |
2010 |
Publication |
Microwave and Telecom. Technol. (CriMiCo), 20th Int. Crimean Conf. |
Abbreviated Journal |
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Volume |
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Issue |
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Pages |
823-824 |
Keywords |
SSPD, SNSPD, HEB |
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. |
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Editor |
IEEE |
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no |
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RPLAB @ sasha @ smirnov2010infrared |
Serial |
1025 |
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Author |
Cherednichenko, S.; Kroug, M.; Merkel, H.; Kollberg, E.; Loudkov, D.; Smirnov, K.; Voronov, B.; Gol'tsman, G.; Gershenzon, E. |
Title |
Local oscillator power requirement and saturation effects in NbN HEB mixers |
Type |
Conference Article |
Year |
2001 |
Publication |
Proc. 12th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. 12th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. |
Volume |
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Issue |
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Pages |
273-285 |
Keywords |
NbN HEB mixers, LO power, local oscillator power, saturation effect, dynamic range |
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. |
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Place of Publication |
San Diego, CA, USA |
Editor |
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Inst.it.u.t.e of Technology |
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no |
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Serial |
318 |
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Author |
Schroeder, E.; Mauskopf, P.; Pilyavsky, G.; Sinclair, A.; Smith, N.; Bryan, S.; Mani, H.; Morozov, D.; Berggren, K.; Zhu, D.; Smirnov, K.; Vakhtomin, Y. |
Title |
On the measurement of intensity correlations from laboratory and astronomical sources with SPADs and SNSPDs |
Type |
Conference Article |
Year |
2016 |
Publication |
Proc. SPIE |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. SPIE |
Volume |
9907 |
Issue |
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Pages |
99070P (1 to 13) |
Keywords |
SPAD, NbN SSPD applications, SNSPD |
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. |
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Publisher |
SPIE |
Place of Publication |
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Editor |
Malbet, F.; Creech-Eakman, M.J.; Tuthill, P.G. |
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Conference |
Optical and Infrared Interferometry and Imaging V |
Notes |
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Approved |
no |
Call Number |
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Serial |
1809 |
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Author |
Ozhegov, R.; Elezov, M.; Kurochkin, Y.; Kurochkin, V.; Divochiy, A.; Kovalyuk, V.; Vachtomin, Y.; Smirnov, K.; Goltsman, G. |
Title |
Quantum key distribution over 300 |
Type |
Conference Article |
Year |
2014 |
Publication |
Proc. SPIE |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. SPIE |
Volume |
9440 |
Issue |
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Pages |
1F (1 to 9) |
Keywords |
SSPD, SNSPD applicatins, quantum key distribution, QKD |
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. |
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SPIE |
Place of Publication |
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Editor |
Orlikovsky, A. A. |
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Conference |
International Conference on Micro- and Nano-Electronics |
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no |
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RPLAB @ sasha @ ozhegov2014quantum |
Serial |
1048 |
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Author |
Semenov, A. D.; Hübers, H.-W.; Gol’tsman, G. N.; Smirnov, K. |
Title |
Superconducting quantum detector for astronomy and X-ray spectroscopy |
Type |
Conference Article |
Year |
2002 |
Publication |
Proc. Int. Workshop on Supercond. Nano-Electronics Devices |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. Int. Workshop on Supercond. Nano-Electronics Devices |
Volume |
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Issue |
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Pages |
201-210 |
Keywords |
NbN SSPD, SNSPD, SQD, superconducting quantum detectors, X-ray spectroscopy |
Abstract |
We propose the novel concept of ultra-sensitive energy-dispersive superconducting quantum detectors prospective for applications in astronomy and X-ray spectroscopy. Depending on the superconducting material and operation conditions, such detector may allow realizing background limited noise equivalent power 10−21 W Hz−1/2 in the terahertz range when exposed to 4-K background radiation or counting of 6-keV photon with almost 10—4 energy resolution. Planar layout and relatively simple technology favor integration of elementary detectors into a detector array. |
Address |
Naples, Italy |
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Thesis |
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Publisher |
Springer |
Place of Publication |
Boston, MA |
Editor |
Pekola, J.; Ruggiero, B.; Silvestrini, P. |
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ISBN |
978-1-4615-0737-6 |
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International Workshop on Superconducting Nano-Electronics Devices, May 28-June 1, 2001 |
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no |
Call Number |
semenov2002superconducting |
Serial |
1525 |
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Author |
Huebers, H.-W.; Semenov, A.; Richter, H.; Birk, M.; Krocka, M.; Mair, U.; Smirnov, K.; Gol’tsman, G. N.; Voronov, B. M. |
Title |
Superconducting hot electron bolometer as mixer for far-infrared heterodyne receivers |
Type |
Conference Article |
Year |
2003 |
Publication |
Proc. SPIE |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. SPIE |
Volume |
4855 |
Issue |
|
Pages |
395-401 |
Keywords |
NbN HEB mixers |
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. |
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SPIE |
Place of Publication |
Tucson, USA |
Editor |
Phillips, T. G.; Zmuidzinas, J. |
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Presented at the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) Conference |
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Series Volume |
4855 |
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Conference |
Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors for Astronomy |
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no |
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Serial |
335 |
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Author |
Moshkova, M. A.; Morozov, P. V.; Antipov, A. V.; Vakhtomin, Y. B.; Smirnov, K. V. |
Title |
High-efficiency multi-element superconducting single-photon detector |
Type |
Conference Article |
Year |
2021 |
Publication |
Proc. SPIE |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. SPIE |
Volume |
11771 |
Issue |
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Pages |
2-8 |
Keywords |
PNR SSPD, large active area, detection efficiency |
Abstract |
We present the result of the creation and investigation of the multi-element superconducting single photon detectors, which can recognize the number of photons (up to six) in a short pulse of the radiation at telecommunication wavelengths range. The best receivers coupled with single-mode fiber have the system quantum efficiency of ⁓85%. The receivers have a 100 ps time resolution and a few nanoseconds dead time that allows them to operate at megahertz counting rate. Implementation of the multi-element architecture for creation of the superconducting single photon detectors with increased sensitive area allows to create the high efficiency receivers coupled with multi-mode fibers and with preserving of the all advantages of superconducting photon counters. |
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SPIE |
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Editor |
Prochazka, I.; Štefaňák, M.; Sobolewski, R.; Gábris, A. |
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Conference |
Quantum Optics and Photon Counting |
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no |
Call Number |
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Serial |
1795 |
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Author |
Goltsman, G.; Korneev, A.; Minaeva, O.; Rubtsova, I.; Chulkova, G.; Milostnaya, I.; Smirnov, K.; Voronov, B.; Lipatov, A. P.; Pearlman, A. J.; Cross, A.; Slysz, W.; Verevkin, A. A.; Sobolewski, R. |
Title |
Advanced nanostructured optical NbN single-photon detector operated at 2.0 K |
Type |
Conference Article |
Year |
2005 |
Publication |
Proc. SPIE |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. SPIE |
Volume |
5732 |
Issue |
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Pages |
520-529 |
Keywords |
NbN SSPD, SNSPD |
Abstract |
We present our studies on quantum efficiency (QE), dark counts, and noise equivalent power (NEP) of the latest generation of nanostructured NbN superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) operated at 2.0 K. Our SSPDs are based on 4 nm-thick NbN films, patterned by electron beam lithography as highly-uniform 100÷120-nm-wide meander-shaped stripes, covering the total area of 10x10 μm2 with the meander filling factor of 0.7. Advances in the fabrication process and low-temperature operation lead to QE as high as 30-40% for visible-light photons (0.56 μm wavelength)-the saturation value, limited by optical absorption of the NbN film. For 1.55 μm photons, QE was 20% and decreased exponentially with the wavelength reaching 0.02% at the 5-μm wavelength. Being operated at 2.0-K temperature the SSPDs revealed an exponential decrease of the dark count rate, what along with the high QE, resulted in the NEP as low as 5x10-21 W/Hz-1/2, the lowest value ever reported for near-infrared optical detectors. The SSPD counting rate was measured to be above 1 GHz with the pulse-to-pulse jitter below 20 ps. Our nanostructured NbN SSPDs operated at 2.0 K significantly outperform their semiconducting counterparts and find practical applications ranging from noninvasive testing of CMOS VLSI integrated circuits to ultrafast quantum communications and quantum cryptography. |
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Spie |
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Editor |
Razeghi, M.; Brown, G.J. |
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Quantum Sensing and Nanophotonic Devices II |
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no |
Call Number |
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Serial |
1478 |
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Author |
Milostnaya, I.; Korneev, A.; Minaeva, O.; Rubtsova, I.; Slepneva, S.; Seleznev, V.; Chulkova, G.; Okunev, O.; Smirnov, K.; Voronov, B.; Gol’tsman, G.; Slysz, W.; Kitaygorsky, J.; Cross, A.; Pearlman, A.; Sobolewski, R. |
Title |
Superconducting nanostructured detectors capable of single photon counting of mid-infrared optical radiation |
Type |
Conference Article |
Year |
2005 |
Publication |
Proc. SPIE |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. SPIE |
Volume |
5957 |
Issue |
|
Pages |
59570A (1 to 9) |
Keywords |
SSPD, SNSPD, single-photon detectors, superconductors, superconducting |
Abstract |
We report on our progress in research and development of ultrafast superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) based on ultrathin NbN nanostructures. Our SSPDs were made of the 4-nm-thick NbN films with Tc 11 K, patterned as meander-shaped, 100-nm-wide strips, and covering an area of 10×10 μm2. The detectors exploit a combined detection mechanism, where upon a single-photon absorption, a hotspot of excited electrons and redistribution of the biasing supercurrent, jointly produce a picosecond voltage transient signal across the superconducting nanostripe. The SSPDs are typically operated at 4.2 K, but their sensitivity in the infrared radiation range can be significantly improved by lowering the operating temperature from 4.2 K to 2 K. When operated at 2 K, the SSPD quantum efficiency (QE) for visible light photons reaches 30-40%, which is the saturation value limited by the optical absorption of our 4-nm-thick NbN film. With the wavelength increase of the incident photons,the QE of SSPDs decreases significantly, but even at the wavelength of 6 μm, the detector is able to count single photons and exhibits QE of about 10-2 %. The dark (false) count rate at 2 K is as low as 2x10-4 s,-1 which makes our detector essentially a background-limited sensor. The very low dark-count rate results in a noise equivalent power (NEP) below 10-18 WHz-1/2 for the mid-infrared range (6 μm). Further improvement of the SSPD performance in the mid-infrared range can be obtained by substituting NbN for another, lower-Tc materials with a narrow superconducting gap and low quasiparticles diffusivity. The use of such superconductors should shift the cutoff wavelength below 10 μm. |
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SPIE |
Place of Publication |
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Editor |
Rogalski, A.; Dereniak, E.L.; Sizov, F.F. |
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Conference |
Infrared Photoelectronics |
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no |
Call Number |
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Serial |
1458 |
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Slysz, W.; Wegrzecki, M.; Bar, J.; Grabiec, P.; Górska, M.; Latta, C.; Zwiller, V.; Pearlman, A.; Cross, A.; Korneev, A.; Kouminov, P.; Smirnov, K.; Voronov, B.; Gol’tsman, G.; Verevkin, A.; Currie, M.; Sobolewski, R. |
Title |
Fiber-coupled quantum-communications receiver based on two NbN superconducting single-photon detectors |
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Conference Article |
Year |
2005 |
Publication |
Proc. SPIE |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. SPIE |
Volume |
5957 |
Issue |
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Pages |
59571K (1 to 10) |
Keywords |
SSPD, SNSPD, single-photon detectors, quantum communication, quantum cryptography, superconductors, infrared optical detectors |
Abstract |
We present the design and performance of a novel, two-channel single-photon receiver, based on two fiber-coupled NbN superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs). The SSPDs are nanostructured superconducting meanders covering an area of 100 μm2 and are known for ultrafast and efficient counting of single, visible-to-infrared photons. Their operation has been explained within a phenomenological hot-electron photoresponse model. Our receiver is intended for fiber-based quantum cryptography and communication systems, operational at near-infrared (NIR) telecommunication wavelengths, λ = 1.3 μm and λ = 1.55 μm. Coupling between the NbN detector and a single-mode optical fiber was achieved using a specially designed, micromechanical photoresist ring, positioned directly over the SSPD active area. The positioning accuracy of the ring was below 1 μm. The receiver with SSPDs was placed (immersed) in a standard liquid-helium transport Dewar and kept without interruption for over two months at 4.2 K. At the same time, the optical fiber inputs and electrical outputs were kept at room temperature. Our best system reached a system quantum efficiency of up to 0.3 % in the NIR radiation range, with the detector coupling efficiency of about 30 %. The response time was measured to be about 250 ps and was limited by our read-out electronics. The measured jitter was close to 35 ps. The presented performance parameters show that our NIR single photon detectors are suitable for practical quantum cryptography and for applications in quantum-correlation experiments. |
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SPIE |
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Rogalski, A.; Dereniak, E.L.; Sizov, F.F. |
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Infrared Photoelectronics |
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1459 |
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Author |
Sobolewski, R.; Zhang, J.; Slysz, W.; Pearlman, A.; Verevkin, A.; Lipatov, A.; Okunev, O.; Chulkova, G.; Korneev, A.; Smirnov, K.; Kouminov, P.; Voronov, B.; Kaurova, N.; Drakinsky, V.; Goltsman, G. N. |
Title |
Ultrafast superconducting single-photon optical detectors |
Type |
Conference Article |
Year |
2003 |
Publication |
Proc. SPIE |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. SPIE |
Volume |
5123 |
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Pages |
1-11 |
Keywords |
NbN SSPD, SNSPD |
Abstract |
We present a new class of single-photon devices for counting of both visible and infrared photons. Our superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) are characterized by the intrinsic quantum efficiency (QE) reaching up to 100%, above 10 GHz counting rate, and negligible dark counts. The detection mechanism is based on the photon-induced hotspot formation and subsequent appearance of a transient resistive barrier across an ultrathin and submicron-wide superconducting stripe. The devices are fabricated from 3.5-nm-thick NbN films and operate at 4.2 K, well below the NbN superconducting transition temperature. Various continuous and pulsed laser sources in the wavelength range from 0.4 μm up to >3 μm were implemented in our experiments, enabling us to determine the detector QE in the photon-counting mode, response time, and jitter. For our best 3.5-nm-thick, 10×10 μm2-area devices, QE was found to reach almost 100% for any wavelength shorter than about 800 nm. For longer-wavelength (infrared) radiation, QE decreased exponentially with the photon wavelength increase. Time-resolved measurements of our SSPDs showed that the system-limited detector response pulse width was below 150 ps. The system jitter was measured to be 35 ps. In terms of the counting rate, jitter, and dark counts, the NbN SSPDs significantly outperform their semiconductor counterparts. Already identifeid and implemented applications of our devices range from noninvasive testing of semiconductor VLSI circuits to free-space quantum communications and quantum cryptography. |
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SPIE |
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Spigulis, J.; Teteris, J.; Ozolinsh, M.; Lusis, A. |
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Advanced Optical Devices, Technologies, and Medical Applications |
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1513 |
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Okunev, O.; Chulkova, G.; Milostnaya, I.; Antipov, A.; Smirnov, K.; Morozov, D.; Korneev, A.; Voronov, B.; Gol’tsman, G.; Slysz, W.; Wegrzecki, M.; Bar, J.; Grabiec, P.; Górska, M.; Pearlman, A.; Cross, A.; Kitaygorsky, J.; Sobolewski, R. |
Title |
Registration of infrared single photons by a two-channel receiver based on fiber-coupled superconducting single-photon detectors |
Type |
Conference Article |
Year |
2008 |
Publication |
Proc. SPIE |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. SPIE |
Volume |
7009 |
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Pages |
70090V (1 to 8) |
Keywords |
SSPD, SNSPD, single-photon detectors, superconductors, superconducting nanost |
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. |
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SPIE |
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Sukhoivanov, I.A.; Svich, V.A.; Shmaliy, Y.S. |
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