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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.
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Gol'tsman, G., Minaeva, O., Korneev, A., Tarkhov, M., Rubtsova, I., Divochiy, A., et al. (2007). Middle-infrared to visible-light ultrafast superconducting single-photon detectors. IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., 17(2), 246–251.
Abstract: We present an overview of the state-of-the-art of NbN superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs). Our devices exhibit quantum efficiency (QE) of up to 30% in near-infrared wavelength and 0.4% at 5 mum, with a dark-count rate that can be as low as 10 -4 s -1 . The SSPD structures integrated with lambda/4 microcavities achieve a QE of 60% at telecommunication, 1550-nm wavelength. We have also developed a new generation of SSPDs that possess the QE of large-active-area devices, but, simultaneously, are characterized by low kinetic inductance that allows achieving short response times and the GHz-counting rate with picosecond timing jitter. The improvements presented in the SSPD development, such as fiber-coupled SSPDs, make our detectors most attractive for high-speed quantum communications and quantum computing.
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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.
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Gol'tsman, G. N., & Loudkov, D. N. (2003). Terahertz superconducting hot-electron bolometer mixers and their application in radio astronomy. Radiophys. Quant. Electron., 46(8/9), 604–617.
Abstract: We review the latest developments, research, and radioastronomy applications of hot-electron bolometer (HEB) mixers operated in the terahertz waveband. The physical principles of operation of terahertz HEB mixers are presented, their manufacturing from ultrathin NbN films, the main HEB-mixer parameters and their measurement techniques are discussed, and practical terahertz radioastronomy projects based on heterodyne receivers with HEB mixers are considered.
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Semenov, A., Goltsman, G., & Korneev, A. (2001). Quantum detection by current carrying superconducting film. Phys. C: Supercond., 351(4), 349–356.
Abstract: We describe a novel quantum detection mechanism in the superconducting film carrying supercurrent. The mechanism incorporates growing normal domain and breaking of superconductivity by the bias current. A single photon absorbed in the film creates transient normal spot that causes redistribution of the current and, consequently, increase of the current density in superconducting areas. When the current density exceeds the critical value, the film switches into resistive state and generates the voltage pulse. Analysis shows that a submicron-wide film of conventional low temperature superconductor operated in liquid helium may detect single far-infrared photon. The amplitude and duration of the voltage pulse are in the millivolt and picosecond range, respectively. The quantitative model is presented that allows simulation of the detector utilizing this detection mechanism.
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Finkel, M., Vachtomin, Y., Antipov, S., Drakinski, V., Kaurova, N., Voronov, B., et al. (2003). Gain bandwidth and noise temperature of NbTiN HEB mixer. In Proc. 14th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (pp. 276–285).
Abstract: We have determined that the gain bandwidth of phonon-cooled HEB mixer employing NbTiN films deposited on MgO layer over Si substrate is limited b y the escape of phonons to the substrate. The cut-off frequencies of 1 um long devices operating at T 71, based on 3.5 nm. 4 nm and 10 nm thick films amount to 400 Mk. 300 MHz, and 100 MHz, respectivel y . The gain bandwidth of 0.13 . um long devices fabricated from 3.5 nm thick film is larger and amounts to 0.8 GIL; at the optimal operating point and to 1.5 GIL: at larger bias. The increase of the gain bandwidth from 400 MHz up to 1.5 GH: with the change of bridge length is attributed to diffusion cooling. A double sideband noise temperature of 4000 K was obtained for heterodyne receiver utilizing pilot NbTiN HEB mixer (not optimized for normal state resistance) operating at the local oscillator frequency of 2.5 THz.
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Korneev, A., Kouminov, P., Matvienko, V., Chulkova, G., Smirnov, K., Voronov, B., et al. (2004). Sensitivity and gigahertz counting performance of NbN superconducting single-photon detectors. Appl. Phys. Lett., 84(26), 5338–5340.
Abstract: We have measured the quantum efficiencysQEd, GHz counting rate, jitter, and noise-equivalentpowersNEPdof nanostructured NbN superconducting single-photon detectorssSSPDsdin thevisible to infrared radiation range. Our 3.5-nm-thick and 100- to 200-nm-wide meander-typedevices(total area 10310mm2), operating at 4.2 K, exhibit an experimental QE of up to 20% inthe visible range and,10% at 1.3 to 1.55mm wavelength and are potentially sensitive up tomidinfrareds,10mmdradiation. The SSPD counting rate was measured to be above 2 GHz withjitter,18 ps, independent of the wavelength. The devices’ NEP varies from,10−17W/Hz1/2for1.55mm photons to,10−20W/Hz1/2for visible radiation. Lowering the SSPD operatingtemperature to 2.3 K significantly enhanced its performance, by increasing the QE to,20% andlowering the NEP level to,3310−22W/Hz1/2, both measured at 1.26mm wavelength.
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Semenov, A., Engel, A., Il'in, K., Gol'tsman, G., Siegel, M., & Hübers, H. - W. (2003). Ultimate performance of a superconducting quantum detector. Eur. Phys. J. Appl. Phys., 21(3), 171–178.
Abstract: We analyze the ultimate performance of a superconducting quantum detector in order to meet requirements for applications in near-infrared astronomy and X-ray spectroscopy. The detector exploits a combined detection mechanism, in which avalanche quasiparticle multiplication and the supercurrent jointly produce a voltage response to a single absorbed photon via successive formation of a photon-induced and a current-induced normal hotspot in a narrow superconducting strip. The response time of the detector should increase with the photon energy providing energy resolution. Depending on the superconducting material and operation conditions, the cut-off wavelength for the single-photon detection regime varies from infrared waves to visible light. We simulated the performance of the background-limited infrared direct detector and X-ray photon counter utilizing the above mechanism. Low dark count rate and intrinsic low-frequency cut-off allow for realizing a background limited noise equivalent power of 10−20 W Hz−1/2 for a far-infrared direct detector exposed to 4-K background radiation. At low temperatures, the intrinsic response time of the counter is rather determined by diffusion of nonequilibrium electrons than by the rate of energy transfer to phonons. Therefore, thermal fluctuations do not hamper energy resolution of the X-ray photon counter that should be better than 10−3 for 6-keV photons. Comparison of new data obtained with a Nb based detector and previously reported results on NbN quantum detectors support our estimates of ultimate detector performance.
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Baselmans, J. J. A., Hajenius, M., Gao, J. R., Baryshev, A., Kooi, J., Klapwijk, T. M., et al. (2005). NbN hot electron bolometer mixers: sensitivity, LO power, direct detection and stability. IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., 15(2), 484–489.
Abstract: We demonstrate that the performance of NbN lattice cooled hot electron bolometer mixers depends strongly on the interface quality between the bolometer and the contact structure. Both the receiver noise temperature and the gain bandwidth can be improved by a factor of 2 by cleaning the interface and adding an additional superconducting interlayer to the contact pad. Using this we obtain a double sideband receiver noise temperature of 950 K at 2.5 THz and 4.3 K, using a 0.4/spl times/4 /spl mu/m HEB mixer with a spiral antenna. At the same bias point, we obtain an IF gain bandwidth of 6 GHz. To comply with current demands on THz mixers for use in space based receivers we reduce the device size to 0.15/spl times/1 /spl mu/m and use a twin slot antenna. We report measurements of the noise temperature, LO power requirement, stability and the direct detection effect, using a mixer with a 1.6 THz twin slot antenna and a 1.462 THz solid state LO source with calibrated output power.
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Goltsman, G. N., Vachtomin, Y. B., Antipov, S. V., Finkel, M. I., Maslennikov, S. N., Polyakov, S. L., et al. (2005). Low-noise NbN phonon-cooled hot-electron bolometer mixers for terahertz heterodyne receivers. In Proc. 9-th WMSCI (Vol. 9, pp. 154–159). International Institute of Informatics and Systemics.
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