Sclafani, M., Marksteiner, M., Keir, F. M. L., Divochiy, A., Korneev, A., Semenov, A., et al. (2012). Sensitivity of a superconducting nanowire detector for single ions at low energy. Nanotechnol., 23(6), 065501 (1 to 5).
Abstract: We report on the characterization of a superconducting nanowire detector for ions at low kinetic energies. We measure the absolute single-particle detection efficiency eta and trace its increase with energy up to eta = 100%. We discuss the influence of noble gas adsorbates on the cryogenic surface and analyze their relevance for the detection of slow massive particles. We apply a recent model for the hot-spot formation to the incidence of atomic ions at energies between 0.2 and 1 keV. We suggest how the differences observed for photons and atoms or molecules can be related to the surface condition of the detector and we propose that the restoration of proper surface conditions may open a new avenue for SSPD-based optical spectroscopy on molecules and nanoparticles.
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Семенов, А. В., Корнеев, А. А., Лобанов, Ю. В., Корнеева, Ю. П., Рябчун, С. А., Лаврова, О. С., et al. (2012). Поляризация электромагнитной волны вблизи фокуса зеркала и системы зеркал в субтерагерцовом диапазоне частот. Современные проблемы науки и образования, (2).
Abstract: Рассмотрено влияние оптической системы телескопа на поляризацию принимаемого электромагнитного сигнала. Описано изменение поляризации луча при отражении от произвольно ориентированной поверхности зеркала. Учтены искажения поляризации, обусловленные как отклонением лучей от первоначального направления, так и различием в коэффициентах отражения для разных поляризаций в случае неидеального отражения. В рамках метода Френеля получены оценочные формулы, дающие отношение амплитуд поля с исходной поляризацией и с поляризацией, перпендикулярной исходной, вблизи фокальной точки оптической системы. Формулы выведены для нескольких практически важных случаев, в том числе для параболического зеркала и системы двух зеркал. Оценена верхняя граница поляризационных искажений в пределах кружка Эйри. Полученные оценки согласуются с результатами численного расчёта для двухзеркального радиотелескопа субтерагерцового диапазона.
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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.
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Bulaevskii, L. N., Graf, M. J., & Kogan, V. G. (2012). Vortex-assisted photon counts and their magnetic field dependence in single-photon superconducting detectors. Phys. Rev. B, 85(1), 9.
Abstract: We argue that photon counts in a superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD) are caused by the transition from a current-biased metastable superconducting state to the normal state. Such a transition is triggered by vortices crossing the thin and narrow superconducting strip from one edge to another due to the Lorentz force. Detector counts in SNSPDs may be caused by three processes: (a) a single incident photon with sufficient energy to break enough Cooper pairs to create a normal-state belt across the entire width of the strip (direct photon count), (b) thermally induced single-vortex crossing in the absence of photons (dark count), which at high-bias currents releases the energy sufficient to trigger the transition to the normal state in a belt across the whole width of the strip, and (c) a single incident photon of insufficient energy to create a normal-state belt but initiating a subsequent single-vortex crossing, which provides the rest of the energy needed to create the normal-state belt (vortex-assisted single-photon count). We derive the current dependence of the rate of vortex-assisted photon counts. The resulting photon count rate has a plateau at high currents close to the critical current and drops as a power law with high exponent at lower currents. While the magnetic field perpendicular to the film plane does not affect the formation of hot spots by photons, it causes the rate of vortex crossings (with or without photons) to increase. We show that by applying a magnetic field one may characterize the energy barrier for vortex crossings and identify the origin of dark counts and vortex-assisted photon counts.
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Knee, G. C., Simmons, S., Gauger, E. M., Morton, J. J. L., Riemann, H., Abrosimov, N. V., et al. (2012). Violation of a Leggett–Garg inequality with ideal non-invasive measurements. Nat. Comm., 3(606), 6.
Abstract: The quantum superposition principle states that an entity can exist in two different states simultaneously, counter to our 'classical' intuition. Is it possible to understand a given system's behaviour without such a concept? A test designed by Leggett and Garg can rule out this possibility. The test, originally intended for macroscopic objects, has been implemented in various systems. However to date no experiment has employed the 'ideal negative result' measurements that are required for the most robust test. Here we introduce a general protocol for these special measurements using an ancillary system, which acts as a local measuring device but which need not be perfectly prepared. We report an experimental realization using spin-bearing phosphorus impurities in silicon. The results demonstrate the necessity of a non-classical picture for this class of microscopic system. Our procedure can be applied to systems of any size, whether individually controlled or in a spatial ensemble.
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