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Author Kerman, A. J.; Dauler, E. A.; Yang, J. K. W.; Rosfjord, K. M.; Anant, V.; Berggren, K. K.; Gol’tsman, G. N.; Voronov, B. M.
Title Constriction-limited detection efficiency of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication Appl. Phys. Lett. Abbreviated Journal Appl. Phys. Lett.
Volume (down) 90 Issue 10 Pages 101110 (1 to 3)
Keywords SSPD, SNSPD
Abstract We investigate the source of the large variations in the observed detection efficiencies of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors between many nominally identical devices. Through both electrical and optical measurements, we infer that these variations arise from “constrictions:” highly localized regions of the nanowires where the effective cross-sectional area for superconducting current is reduced. These constrictions limit the bias-current density to well below its critical value over the remainder of the wire, and thus prevent the detection efficiency from reaching the high values that occur in these devices when they are biased near the critical current density.

This work is sponsored by the United States Air Force under Contract No. FA8721-05-C-0002.
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Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0003-6951 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1433
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Author Kerman, A. J.; Dauler, E. A.; Keicher, W. E.; Yang, J. K. W.; Berggren, K. K.; Gol’tsman, G.; Voronov, B.
Title Kinetic-inductance-limited reset time of superconducting nanowire photon counters Type Journal Article
Year 2006 Publication Appl. Phys. Lett. Abbreviated Journal Appl. Phys. Lett.
Volume (down) 88 Issue 11 Pages 111116 (1 to 3)
Keywords NbN SSPD, SNSPD
Abstract We investigate the recovery of superconducting NbN-nanowire photon counters after detection of an optical pulse at a wavelength of 1550nm, and present a model that quantitatively accounts for our observations. The reset time is found to be limited by the large kinetic inductance of these nanowires, which forces a tradeoff between counting rate and either detection efficiency or active area. Devices of usable size and high detection efficiency are found to have reset times orders of magnitude longer than their intrinsic photoresponse time.

The authors acknowledge D. Oates and W. Oliver (MIT Lincoln Laboratory), S.W. Nam, A. Miller, and R. Hadfield (NIST) and R. Sobolewski, A. Pearlman, and A. Verevkin (University of Rochester) for helpful discussions and technical assistance. This work made use of MIT’s shared scanning-electron-beam-lithography facility in the Research Laboratory of Electronics. This work is sponsored by the United States Air Force under Air Force Contract No. FA8721-05-C-0002. Opinions, interpretations, recommendations and conclusions are those of the authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the United States Government.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0003-6951 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1453
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Author Yang, J. K. W.; Kerman, A. J.; Dauler, E. A.; Anant, V.; Rosfjord, K. M.; Berggren, K. K.
Title Modeling the electrical and thermal response of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. Abbreviated Journal
Volume (down) 17 Issue 2 Pages 581 - 585
Keywords SSPD, modeling
Abstract We modeled the response of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors during a photodetection event, taking into consideration only the thermal and electrical properties of a superconducting NbN nanowire on a sapphire substrate. Our calculations suggest that heating which occurs after the formation of a photo-induced resistive barrier is responsible for the generation of a measurable voltage pulse. We compared this numerical result with experimental data of a voltage pulse from a slow device, i.e. large kinetic inductance, and obtained a good fit. Using this electro-thermal model, we estimated the temperature rise and the resistance buildup in the nanowire, and the return current at which the nanowire becomes superconducting again. We also show that the reset time of these photodetectors can be decreased by the addition of a series resistance and provide supporting experimental data. Finally we present preliminary results on a detector latching behavior that can also be explained using the electro-thermal model.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 625
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Author Dauler, E. A.; Robinson, B. S.; Kerman, A. J.; Yang, J. K. W.; Rosfjord, E. K. M.; Anant, V.; Voronov, B.; Gol'tsman, G.; Berggren, K. K.
Title Multi-element superconducting nanowire single-photon detector Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. Abbreviated Journal IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond.
Volume (down) 17 Issue 2 Pages 279-284
Keywords SSPD, SNSPD
Abstract A multi-element superconducting nanowire single photon detector (MESNSPD) is presented that consists of multiple independently-biased superconducting nanowire single photon detector (SNSPD) elements that form a continuous active area. A two-element SNSPD has been fabricated and tested, showing no measurable crosstalk between the elements, sub-50-ps relative timing jitter, and four times the maximum counting rate of a single SNSPD with the same active area. The MESNSPD can have a larger active area and higher speed than a single-element SNSPD and the input optics can be designed so that the detector provides spatial, spectral or photon number resolution.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1051-8223 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1428
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Author Yang, J. K. W.; Dauler, E.; Ferri, A.; Pearlman, A.; Verevkin, A.; Gol’tsman, G.; Voronov, B.; Sobolewski, R.; Keicher, W. E.; Berggren, K. K.
Title Fabrication development for nanowire GHz-counting-rate single-photon detectors Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. Abbreviated Journal IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond.
Volume (down) 15 Issue 2 Pages 626-630
Keywords NbN SSPD, SNSPD
Abstract We have developed a fabrication process for GHz-counting-rate, single-photon, high-detection-efficiency, NbN, nanowire detectors. We have demonstrated two processes for the device patterning, one based on the standard polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) organic positive-tone electron-beam resist, and the other based on the newer hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) negative-tone spin-on-glass resist. The HSQ-based process is simple and robust, providing high resolution and the prospect of high fill-factors. Initial testing results show superconductivity in the films, and suggest that the devices exhibit photosensitivity.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1558-2515 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1466
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