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Goltsman, G. N., Shcherbatenko, M. L., Lobanov, Y. V., Kovalyuk, V. V., Kahl, O., Ferrari, S., et al. (2016). Superconducting nanowire single photon detector for coherent detection of weak optical signals. In LPHYS'16 (pp. 1–2).
Abstract: Traditionally, photon detectors are operated in a direct detection mode counting incident photonswith a known quantum efficiency. This procedure allows one to detect weak sources of radiation but allthe information about its frequency is limited by the optical filtering/resonating structures used which arenot as precise as would be required for some practical applications. In this work we propose heterodynereceiver based on a photon counting mixer which would combine excellent sensitivity of a photon countingdetector and excellent spectral resolution given by the heterodyne technique. At present, Superconducting-Nanowire-Single-Photon-Detectors (SNSPDs) [1] are widely used in a variety of applications providing thebest possible combination of the sensitivity and speed. SNSPDs demonstrate lack of drawbacks like highdark count rate or autopulsing, which are common for traditional semiconductor-based photon detectors,such as avalanche photon diodes.In our study we have investigated SNSPD operated as a photon counting mixer. To fully understandits behavior in such a regime, we have utilized experimental setup based on a couple of distributedfeedback lasers irradiating at 1.5 micrometers, one of which is being the Local Oscillator (LO) and theother mimics the test signal [2]. The SNSPD was operated in the current mode and the bias currentwas slightly below of the critical current. Advantageously, we have found that LO power needed for anoptimal mixing is of the order of hundreds of femtowatts to a few picowatts, which is promising for manypractical applications, such as receiver matrices [3]. With use of the two lasers, one can observe thevoltage pulses produced by the detected photons, and the time distribution of the pulses reproduces thefrequency difference between the lasers, forming power response at the intermediate frequency which canbe captured by either an oscilloscope (an analysis of the pulse statistics is needed) or by an RF spectrumanalyzer. Photon-counting nature of the detector ensures quantum-limited sensitivity with respect to theoptical coupling achieved. In addition to the chip SNSPD with normal incidence coupling, we use thedetectors with a travelling wave geometry design [4]. In this case a NbN nanowire is placed on the topof a Si3N4 nanophotonic waveguide, thus increasing the efficient interaction length. For this reason it ispossible to achieve almost complete absorption of photons and reduce the detector footprint. This reducesthe noise of the device together with the expansion of the bandwidth. Integrated device scheme allowsus to measure the optical losses with high accuracy. Our approach is fully scalable and, along with alarge number of devices integrated on a single chip can be adapted to the mid and far IR ranges wherephoton-counting measurement may be beneficial as well [5].Acknowledgements: This work was supported in part by the Ministry of Education and Science of theRussian Federation, contract No. 14.B25.31.0007 and by RFBR grant No. 16-32-00465.
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Smirnov, K. V., Divochiy, A. V., Vakhtomin, Y. B., Sidorova, M. V., Karpova, U. V., Morozov, P. V., et al. (2016). Rise time of voltage pulses in NbN superconducting single photon detectors. Appl. Phys. Lett., 109(5), 052601.
Abstract: We have found experimentally that the rise time of voltage pulse in NbN superconducting single photon detectors increases nonlinearly with increasing the length of the detector L. The effect is connected with dependence of resistance of the detector Rn, which appears after photon absorption, on its kinetic inductance Lk and, hence, on the length of the detector. This conclusion is confirmed by our calculations in the framework of two temperature model.
D.Yu.V. acknowledges the support from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Project No. 15-42-02365). K.V.S. acknowledges the financial support from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation (Contract No. 3.2655.2014/K).
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Finkel, M., Thierschmann, H. R., Galatro, L., Katan, A. J., Thoen, D. J., de Visser, P. J., et al. (2016). Branchline and directional THz coupler based on PECVD SiNx-technology. In 41st IRMMW-THz.
Abstract: A fabrication technology to realize THz microstrip lines and passive circuit components is developed and tested making use of a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition grown silicon nitride (PECVD SiNx) dielectric membrane. We use 2 μm thick SiNx and 300 nm thick gold layers on sapphire substrates. We fabricate a set of structures for thru-reflect-line (TRL) calibration, with the reflection standard implemented as a short through the via. We find losses of 9.5 dB/mm at 300 GHz for a 50 Ohm line. For a branchline coupler we measure 2.5 dB insertion loss, 1 dB amplitude imbalance and 21 dB isolation. Good control over the THz lines parameters is proven by similar performance of a set of 5 structures. The directional couplers show -14 dB transmission to the coupled port, -24 dB to the isolated port and -25 dB in reflection. The SiNx membrane, used as a dielectric, is compatible with atomic force microscopy (AFM) cantilevers allowing the application of this technology to the development of a THz near-field microscope.
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Iomdina, E. N., Seliverstov, S., Sianosyan, A., Teplyakova, K., Rusova, A., & Goltsman, G. (2016). The prospects of using the radiation for the assessment of corneal and scleral hydration. In Acta Ophthalmol. (Vol. 94).
Abstract: Purpose
An adequate water balance (hydration extent) is one of the basic factors of normal eye function, including its external shells – the cornea and the sclera. THz systems creating images in reflected beams are likely to become ideal instruments of noninvasive testing of corneal and scleral hydration degree as THz radiation is highly sensitive to water content. The paper aims at studying the transmittance and reflectance spectra of the cornea and the sclera of rabbit and human eyes, as well as those of the whole rabbit eye, in the frequency range of 0.13–0.32 THz.
Methods
The experiments were carried out on 3 corneas and 3 rabbit scleras, 2 whole rabbit eyes, and 3 human healthy adult scleras using a specially developed THz system based on reliable and easy‐to‐use continuous wave sources: a backward‐wave oscillator and an avalanche transit‐time diode.
Results
The transmittance spectra of the cornea and the sclera and the dependence of the reflection coefficient of these tissues in THz range on water percentage content were determined. Comparison of the rabbit cornea hydrated from 73.2% to 76.3% concentration by mass demonstrated an approximately linear relationship between THz reflectivity and water concentration. The decrease of free water concentration by 1% leads to a drop of the reflectance coefficient by 13%. The parameters studied displayed noticeable differences between the sclera and the cornea of rabbits and between rabbit sclera and human sclera.
Conclusions
Preliminary results demonstrate that the proposed technique, based on continuous THz radiation, may be used to create a device for noninvasive testing of corneal and scleral hydration, which has good potential of wide‐scale practical application.
The work was supported by the Russian Foundation of Basic Research (grant No.15‐29‐03843)
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Kahl, O., Ferrari, S., Kovalyuk, V., Vetter, A., Lewes-Malandrakis, G., Nebel, C., et al. (2016). Spectrally resolved single-photon imaging with hybrid superconducting – nanophotonic circuits. arXiv:1609.07857v1 [physics.ins-det]. Retrieved August 22, 2024, from https://arxiv.org/abs/1609.07857v1
Abstract: The detection of individual photons is an inherently binary mechanism, revealing either their absence or presence while concealing their spectral information. For multi-color imaging techniques, such as single photon spectroscopy, fluorescence resonance energy transfer microscopy and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, wavelength discrimination is essential and mandates spectral separation prior to detection. Here, we adopt an approach borrowed from quantum photonic integration to realize a compact and scalable waveguide-integrated single-photon spectrometer capable of parallel detection on multiple wavelength channels, with temporal resolution below 50 ps and dark count rates below 10 Hz. We demonstrate multi-detector devices for telecommunication and visible wavelengths and showcase their performance by imaging silicon vacancy color centers in diamond nanoclusters. The fully integrated hybrid superconducting-nanophotonic circuits enable simultaneous spectroscopy and lifetime mapping for correlative imaging and provide the ingredients for quantum wavelength division multiplexing on a chip.
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