| Records |
| 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 |
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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 |
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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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| Author |
Chulkova, G.; Milostnaya, I.; Korneev, A.; Minaeva, O.; Rubtsova, I.; Voronov, B.; Okunev, O.; Smirnov, K.; Gol’tsman, G.; Kitaygorsky, J.; Cross, A.; Pearlman, A.; Sobolewski, R.; Slysz, W. |
| Title |
Superconducting nanostructures for counting of single photons in the infrared range |
Type |
Conference Article |
| Year |
2005 |
Publication |
Proc. 2-nd CAOL |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. 2-nd CAOL |
| Volume |
2 |
Issue |
|
Pages |
100-103 |
| Keywords |
SSPD, SNSPD |
| Abstract |
We present our studies on ultrafast superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) based on ultrathin NbN nanostructures. Our SSPDs are patterned by electron beam lithography from 4-nm thick NbN film into meander-shaped strips covering square area of 10/spl times/10 /spl mu/m/sup 2/. The advances in the fabrication technology allowed us to produce highly uniform 100-120-nm-wide strips with meander filling factor close to 0.6. The detectors exploit a combined detection mechanism, where upon a single-photon absorption, an avalanche of excited hot electrons and the biasing supercurrent, jointly produce a picosecond voltage transient response across the superconducting nanostrip. The SSPDs are typically operated at 4.2 K, but they have shown that 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 optical absorption of our 4-nm-thick NbN film. For 1.55 /spl mu/m photons, QE was /spl sim/20% and decreases exponentially with the increase of the optical wavelength, but even at the wavelength of 6 /spl mu/m the detector remains sensitive to single photons and exhibits QE of about 10/sup -2/%. The dark (false) count rate at 2 K is as low as 2 /spl times/ 10/sup -4/ s/sup -1/, what makes our detector essentially a background-limited sensor. The very low dark-count rate results in the noise equivalent power (NEP) as low as 10/sup -18/ WHz/sup -1/2/ for the mid-infrared range (6 /spl mu/m). Further improvement of the SSPD performance in the mid-infrared range can be obtained by substituting NbN for the other, lower-T/sub c/ superconductors with the narrow superconducting gap and low quasiparticle diffusivity. The use of such materials will shift the cutoff wavelength towards the values even longer than 6 /spl mu/m. |
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Conference |
Second International Conference on Advanced Optoelectronics and Lasers |
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no |
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Serial |
1461 |
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| Author |
Sobolewski, R.; Verevkin, A.; Gol’tsman, G. N. |
| Title |
Superconducting optical single-photon detectors |
Type |
Conference Article |
| Year |
2004 |
Publication |
CLEO/QELS |
Abbreviated Journal |
CLEO/QELS |
| Volume |
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Issue |
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Pages |
IThD1 |
| Keywords |
SSPD, QE, jitter, dark counts |
| Abstract |
We review the development of superconducting single-photon detectors. The devices are characterized by experimental quantum efficiency of ~8% for infrared photons, counting rate ~2 GHz, 18 ps jitter, and <0.01 per second dark counts. |
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Optical Society of America |
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Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
Sobolewski:04 |
Serial |
1489 |
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| Author |
Milostnaya, I.; Korneev, A.; Rubtsova, I.; Seleznev, V.; Minaeva, O.; Chulkova, G.; Okunev, O.; Voronov, B.; Smirnov, K.; Gol'tsman, G.; Slysz, W.; Wegrzecki, M.; Guziewicz, M.; Bar, J.; Gorska, M.; Pearlman, A.; Kitaygorsky, J.; Cross, A.; Sobolewski, R. |
| Title |
Superconducting single-photon detectors designed for operation at 1.55-µm telecommunication wavelength |
Type |
Conference Article |
| Year |
2006 |
Publication |
J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. |
Abbreviated Journal |
J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. |
| Volume |
43 |
Issue |
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Pages |
1334-1337 |
| Keywords |
NbN SSPD, SNSPD |
| Abstract |
We report on our progress in development of superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs), specifically designed for secure high-speed quantum communications. The SSPDs consist of NbN-based meander nanostructures and operate at liquid helium temperatures. In general, our devices are capable of GHz-rate photon counting in a spectral range from visible light to mid-infrared. The device jitter is 18 ps and dark counts can reach negligibly small levels. The quantum efficiency (QE) of our best SSPDs for visible-light photons approaches a saturation level of ~30-40%, which is limited by the NbN film absorption. For the infrared range (1.55µm), QE is ~6% at 4.2 K, but it can be significantly improved by reduction of the operation temperature to the 2-K level, when QE reaches ~20% for 1.55-µm photons. In order to further enhance the SSPD efficiency at the wavelength of 1.55 µm, we have integrated our detectors with optical cavities, aiming to increase the effective interaction of the photon with the superconducting meander and, therefore, increase the QE. A successful effort was made to fabricate an advanced SSPD structure with an optical microcavity optimized for absorption of 1.55 µm photons. The design consisted of a quarter-wave dielectric layer, combined with a metallic mirror. Early tests performed on relatively low-QE devices integrated with microcavities, showed that the QE value at the resonator maximum (1.55-µm wavelength) was of the factor 3-to-4 higher than that for a nonresonant SSPD. Independently, we have successfully coupled our SSPDs to single-mode optical fibers. The completed receivers, inserted into a liquid-helium transport dewar, reached ~1% system QE for 1.55 µm photons. The SSPD receivers that are fiber-coupled and, simultaneously, integrated with resonators are expected to be the ultimate photon counters for optical quantum communications. |
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Edition |
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| ISSN |
1742-6588 |
ISBN |
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Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
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Serial |
1450 |
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| Author |
Verevkin, A. A.; Zhang, J.; Slysz, W.; Sobolewski, R.; Lipatov, A. P.; Okunev, O.; Chulkova, G.; Korneev, A.; Gol’tsman, G. N. |
| Title |
Superconducting single-photon detectors for GHz-rate free-space quantum communications |
Type |
Conference Article |
| Year |
2002 |
Publication |
Proc. SPIE |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. SPIE |
| Volume |
4821 |
Issue |
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Pages |
447-454 |
| Keywords |
NbN SSPD, SNSPD, single-photon detector, thin-film superconductivity, quantum cryptography, ultrafast communications |
| Abstract |
We report our studies on the performance of new NbN ultrathin-film superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs). Our SSPDs exhibit experimentally measured quantum efficiencies from 5% at wavelength λ = 1550 nm up to 10% at λ = 405 nm, with exponential, activation-energy-type spectral sensitivity dependence in the 0.4-μm – 3-μm wavelength range. Using a variable optical delay setup, we have shown that our NbN SSPDs can resolve optical photons with a counting rate up to 10 GHz, presently limited by the read-out electronics. The measured device jitter was below 35 ps under optimum biasing conditions. The extremely high photon counting rate, together with relatively high (especially for λ > 1 μm) quantum efficiency, low jitter, and very low dark counts, make NbN SSPDs very promising for free-space communications and quantum cryptography. |
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SPIE |
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Editor |
Ricklin, J.C.; Voelz, D.G. |
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Conference |
Free-Space Laser Communication and Laser Imaging II |
| Notes |
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Approved |
no |
| Call Number |
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Serial |
1523 |
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| Author |
Chulkova, G.; Milostnaya, I.; Tarkhov, M.; Korneev, A.; Minaeva, O.; Voronov, B.; Divochiy, A.; Gol'tsman, G.; Kitaygorsky, J.; Pan, D.; Sobolewski, R. |
| Title |
Superconducting single-photon nanostructured detectors for advanced optical applications |
Type |
Conference Article |
| Year |
2006 |
Publication |
Proc. Symposium on Photonics Technologies for 7th Framework Program |
Abbreviated Journal |
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| Volume |
400 |
Issue |
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Pages |
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| Keywords |
SSPD, SNSPD |
| Abstract |
We present superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) based on NbN thin-film nanostructures and operated at liquid helium temperatures. The SSPDs are made of ultrathin NbN films (2.5-4 nm thick, Tc= 9-11K) as meander-shaped nanowires covering the area of 10× 10 µm2. Our detectors are operated at the temperature well below the critical temperature Tc and are DC biased by a current Ib close to the meander critical current Ic. The operation principle of the detector is based on the use of the resistive region in a narrow ultra-thin superconducting stripe upon the absorption of an incident photon. The developed devices demonstrate high sensitivity and response speed in a broadband range from UV to mid-IR (up to 6 µm), making them very attractive for advanced optical technologies, which require efficient detectors of single quanta and low-density optical radiation. |
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no |
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RPLAB @ sasha @ chulkova2006superconducting |
Serial |
1021 |
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| Author |
Korneev, A.; Minaeva, O.; Rubtsova, I.; Milostnaya, I.; Chulkova, G.; Voronov, B.; Smirnov, K.; Seleznev, V.; Gol'tsman, G.; Pearlman, A.; Slysz, W.; Cross, A.; Alvarez, P.; Verevkin, A.; Sobolewski, R. |
| Title |
Superconducting single-photon ultrathin NbN film detector |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2005 |
Publication |
Quantum Electronics |
Abbreviated Journal |
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| Volume |
35 |
Issue |
8 |
Pages |
698-700 |
| Keywords |
NbN SSPD, SNSPD |
| 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. |
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| Notes |
Сверхпроводящий однофотонный детектор на основе ультратонкой пленки NbN |
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no |
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Serial |
383 |
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| Author |
Zhang, J.; Słysz, W.; Pearlman, A.; Verevkin, A.; Sobolewski, R.; Okunev, O.; Chulkova, G.; Gol’tsman, G. N. |
| Title |
Time delay of resistive-state formation in superconducting stripes excited by single optical photons |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2003 |
Publication |
Phys. Rev. B |
Abbreviated Journal |
Phys. Rev. B |
| Volume |
67 |
Issue |
13 |
Pages |
132508 (1 to 4) |
| Keywords |
NbN SSPD, SNSPD |
| Abstract |
We have observed a 65(±5)-ps time delay in the onset of a resistive-state formation in 10-nm-thick, 130-nm-wide NbN superconducting stripes exposed to single photons. The delay in the photoresponse decreased to zero when the stripe was irradiated by multi-photon (classical) optical pulses. Our NbN structures were kept at 4.2 K, well below the material’s critical temperature, and were illuminated by 100-fs-wide optical pulses. The time-delay phenomenon has been explained within the framework of a model based on photon-induced generation of a hotspot in the superconducting stripe and subsequent, supercurrent-assisted, resistive-state formation across the entire stripe cross section. The measured time delays in both the single-photon and two-photon detection regimes agree well with theoretical predictions of the resistive-state dynamics in one-dimensional superconducting stripes. |
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Edition |
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| ISSN |
0163-1829 |
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no |
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Serial |
1519 |
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| Author |
Il’in, K. S.; Milostnaya, I. I.; Verevkin, A. A.; Gol’tsman, G. N.; Gershenzon, E. M.; Sobolewski, R. |
| Title |
Ultimate quantum efficiency of a superconducting hot-electron photodetector |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
1998 |
Publication |
Appl. Phys. Lett. |
Abbreviated Journal |
Appl. Phys. Lett. |
| Volume |
73 |
Issue |
26 |
Pages |
3938-3940 |
| Keywords |
NbN SSPD, SNSPD |
| Abstract |
The quantum efficiency and current and voltage responsivities of fast hot-electron photodetectors, fabricated from superconducting NbN thin films and biased in the resistive state, have been shown to reach values of 340, 220 A/W, and 4×104 V/W,
respectively, for infrared radiation with a wavelength of 0.79 μm. The characteristics of the photodetectors are presented within the general model, based on relaxation processes in the nonequilibrium electron heating of a superconducting thin film. The observed, very high efficiency and sensitivity of the superconductor absorbing the photon are explained by the high multiplication rate of quasiparticles during the avalanche breaking of Cooper pairs. |
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0003-6951 |
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no |
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Serial |
1579 |
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| Author |
Korneev, A.; Minaeva, O.; Divochiy, A.; Antipov, A.; Kaurova, N.; Seleznev, V.; Voronov, B.; Gol’tsman, G.; Pan, D.; Kitaygorsky, J.; Slysz, W.; Sobolewski, R. |
| Title |
Ultrafast and high quantum efficiency large-area superconducting single-photon detectors |
Type |
Conference Article |
| Year |
2007 |
Publication |
Proc. SPIE |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. SPIE |
| Volume |
6583 |
Issue |
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Pages |
65830I (1 to 9) |
| Keywords |
SSPD, SNSPD, superconducting NbN films, infrared single-photon detectors |
| Abstract |
We present our latest generation of superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) patterned from 4-nm-thick NbN films, as meander-shaped 0.5-mm-long and 100-nm-wide stripes. The SSPDs exhibit excellent performance parameters in the visible-to-near-infrared radiation wavelengths: quantum efficiency (QE) of our best devices approaches a saturation level of 30% even at 4.2 K (limited by the NbN film optical absorption) and dark counts as low as 2x10-4 Hz. The presented SSPDs were designed to maintain the QE of large-active-area devices, but, unless our earlier SSPDs, hampered by a significant kinetic inductance and a nanosecond response time, they are characterized by a low inductance and GHz counting rates. We have designed, simulated, and tested the structures consisting of several, connected in parallel, meander sections, each having a resistor connected in series. Such new, multi-element geometry led to a significant decrease of the device kinetic inductance without the decrease of its active area and QE. The presented improvement in the SSPD performance makes our detectors most attractive for high-speed quantum communications and quantum cryptography applications. |
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Spie |
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Editor |
Dusek, M.; Hillery, M.S.; Schleich, W.P.; Prochazka, I.; Migdall, A.L.; Pauchard, A. |
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1249 |
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