Semenov, A. D., Hübers, H. - W., Gol’tsman, G. N., & Smirnov, K. (2002). Superconducting quantum detector for astronomy and X-ray spectroscopy. In J. Pekola, B. Ruggiero, & P. Silvestrini (Eds.), Proc. Int. Workshop on Supercond. Nano-Electronics Devices (pp. 201–210). Boston, MA: Springer.
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.
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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).
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Somani, S., Kasapi, S., Wilsher, K., Lo, W., Sobolewski, R., & Gol’tsman, G. (2001). New photon detector for device analysis: Superconducting single-photon detector based on a hot electron effect. J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B, 19(6), 2766–2769.
Abstract: A novel superconducting single-photon detector (SSPD), intrinsically capable of high quantum efficiency (up to 20%) over a wide spectral range (ultraviolet to infrared), with low dark counts (<1 cps), and fast (<40 ps) timing resolution, is described. This SSPD has been used to perform timing measurements on complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) by detecting the infrared light emission from switching transistors. Measurements performed from the backside of a 0.13 μm geometry flip–chip IC are presented. Other potential applications for this detector are in telecommunications, quantum cryptography, biofluorescence, and chemical kinetics.
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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.
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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.
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