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Gol'tsman G, Korneev A, Minaeva O, Rubtsova I, Milostnaya I, Chulkova G, et al. Superconducting nanostructured detectors capable of single-photon counting in the THz range. In: Proc. 16th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol.; 2005. p. 555–7.
Abstract: We present the results of the NbN superconducting single-photon detector sensitivity measurement in the visible to mid-IR range. For visible and near IR light (0.56 — 1.3μm wavelengths) the detector exhibits 30% quantum efficiency saturation value limited by the NbN film absorption and extremely low level of dark counts (2x10 -4 s -1). The detector manifested single-photon counting up to 6 μm wavelength with the quantum efficiency reaching 10 -2 % at 5.6 μm and 3 K temperature.
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Goltsman G, Korneev A, Minaeva O, Rubtsova I, Chulkova G, Milostnaya I, et al. Advanced nanostructured optical NbN single-photon detector operated at 2.0 K. In: Razeghi M, Brown GJ, editors. Proc. SPIE. Vol 5732. Spie; 2005. p. 520–9.
Abstract: We present our studies on quantum efficiency (QE), dark counts, and noise equivalent power (NEP) of the latest generation of nanostructured NbN superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) operated at 2.0 K. Our SSPDs are based on 4 nm-thick NbN films, patterned by electron beam lithography as highly-uniform 100÷120-nm-wide meander-shaped stripes, covering the total area of 10x10 μm2 with the meander filling factor of 0.7. Advances in the fabrication process and low-temperature operation lead to QE as high as 30-40% for visible-light photons (0.56 μm wavelength)-the saturation value, limited by optical absorption of the NbN film. For 1.55 μm photons, QE was 20% and decreased exponentially with the wavelength reaching 0.02% at the 5-μm wavelength. Being operated at 2.0-K temperature the SSPDs revealed an exponential decrease of the dark count rate, what along with the high QE, resulted in the NEP as low as 5x10-21 W/Hz-1/2, the lowest value ever reported for near-infrared optical detectors. The SSPD counting rate was measured to be above 1 GHz with the pulse-to-pulse jitter below 20 ps. Our nanostructured NbN SSPDs operated at 2.0 K significantly outperform their semiconducting counterparts and find practical applications ranging from noninvasive testing of CMOS VLSI integrated circuits to ultrafast quantum communications and quantum cryptography.
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Gol'tsman GN, Korneev A, Rubtsova I, Milostnaya I, Chulkova G, Minaeva O, et al. Ultrafast superconducting single-photon detectors for near-infrared-wavelength quantum communications. Phys Stat Sol (C). 2005;2(5):1480–8.
Abstract: We present our progress on the research and development of NbN superconducting single‐photon detectors (SSPD's) for ultrafast counting of near‐infrared photons for secure quantum communications. Our SSPD's operate in the quantum detection mode based on the photon‐induced hotspot formation and subsequent development of a transient resistive barrier across an ultrathin and submicron‐width superconducting stripe. The devices are fabricated from 4‐nm‐thick NbN films and kept in the 4.2‐ to 2‐K temperature range. The detector experimental quantum efficiency in the photon‐counting mode reaches above 40% for the visible light and up to 30% in the 1.3‐ to 1.55‐µm wavelength range with dark counts below 0.01 per second. The experimental real‐time counting rate is above 2 GHz and is limited by our readout electronics. The SSPD's timing jitter is below 18 ps, and the best‐measured value of the noise‐equivalent power (NEP) is 5 × 10–21 W/Hz1/2 at 1.3 µm. In terms of quantum efficiency, timing jitter, and maximum counting rate, our NbN SSPD's significantly outperform semiconductor avalanche photodiodes and photomultipliers in the 1.3‐ to 1.55‐µm range.
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Gao JR, Hajenius M, Baselmans JJA, Yang ZQ, Baryshev AM, Barends R, et al. Twin-slot antenna coupled NbN hot electron bolometer mixers for space applications. In: Proc. 9-th WMSCI. Vol 9. International Institute of Informatics and Systemics; 2005. p. 148–53.
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Słysz W, Węgrzecki M, Bar J, Grabiec P, Gol'tsman GN, Verevkin A, et al. NbN superconducting single-photon detector coupled with a communication fiber. Elektronika : konstrukcje, technologie, zastosowania. 2005;46(6):51–2.
Abstract: We present novel superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs), based on ultrathin NbN films, designed for fiber-based quantum communications (lambda = 1.3 žm and 1.55 žm). For fiber-based operation, our SSPDs contain a special micromechanical construction integrated with the NbN structure, which enables efficient and mechanically very stabile fiber coupling. The detectors combine GHz counting rate, high quantum efficiency and very low level of dark counts. At 1.3 – 1.55 žm wavelength range our detector exhibits a quantum efficiency up to 10%.
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Jiang L, Zhang W, Yao QJ, Lin ZH, Li J, Shi SC, et al. Characterization of a quasi-optical NbN superconducting hot-electron bolometer mixer. In: Proc. PIERS. Vol 1.; 2005. p. 587–90.
Abstract: In this paper, we report the performance of a quasi-optical NbN superconducting HEB (hot electron bolome-ter) mixer measured at 500 GHz. The quasi-optical NbN superconducting HEB mixer is cryogenically cooled bya 4-K close-cycled refrigerator. Its receiver noise temperature and conversion gain are thoroughly investigatedfor different LO pumping levels and dc biases. The lowest receiver noise temperature is found to be approxi-mately 1200 K, and reduced to about 445 K after correcting theloss of the measurement system. The stabilityof the mixer’s IF output power is also demonstrated.
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Hubers H-W, Semenov A, Richter H, Schwarz M, Gunther B, Smirnov K, et al. Heterodyne receiver for 3-5 THz with hot-electron bolometer mixer. In: Zmuidzinas J, Holland WS, Withington S, editors. Proc. SPIE. Vol 5498. SPIE; 2004. p. 579–86.
Abstract: Heterodyne receivers for applications in astronomy and planetary research need quantum limited sensitivity. In instruments which are currently build for SOFIA and Herschel superconducting hot electron bolometers (HEB) will be used to achieve this goal at frequencies above 1.4 THz. The local oscillator and the mixer are the most critical components for a heterodyne receiver operating at 3-5 THz. The design and performance of an optically pumped THz gas laser optimized for this frequency band will be presented. In order to optimize the performance for this frequency hot electron bolometer mixers with different in-plane dimensions and logarithmic-spiral feed antennas have been investigated. Their noise temperatures and beam patterns were measured. Above 3 THz the best performance was achieved with a superconducting bridge of 2.0 x 0.2 μm2 incorporated in a logarithmic spiral antenna. The DSB noise temperatures were 2700 K, 4700 K and 6400 K at 3.1 THz, 4.3 THz and 5.2 THz, respectively. The results demonstrate that the NbN HEB is very well suited as a mixer for THz heterodyne receivers up to at least 5 THz.
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Meledin DV, Marrone DP, Tong C-YE, Gibson H, Blundell R, Paine SN, et al. A 1-THz superconducting hot-electron-bolometer receiver for astronomical observations. IEEE Trans Microwave Theory Techn. 2004;52(10):2338–43.
Abstract: In this paper, we describe a superconducting hot-electron-bolometer mixer receiver developed to operate in atmospheric windows between 800-1300 GHz. The receiver uses a waveguide mixer element made of 3-4-nm-thick NbN film deposited over crystalline quartz. This mixer yields double-sideband receiver noise temperatures of 1000 K at around 1.0 THz, and 1600 K at 1.26 THz, at an IF of 3.0 GHz. The receiver was successfully tested in the laboratory using a gas cell as a spectral line test source. It is now in use on the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory terahertz test telescope in northern Chile.
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Slysz W, Wegrzecki M, Papis E, Gol'tsman GN, Verevkin A, Sobolewski R. A method of optimization of the NbN superconducting single-photon detector. Vol 36.; 2004.
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Slysz W, Wegrzecki M, Bar J, Grabiec P, Gol'tsman GN, Verevkin M, et al. NbN superconducting single-photon detectors coupled with a communication fiber. Vol 37.; 2004.
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