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Author Trifonov, A.; Tong, C.-Y. E.; Lobanov, Y.; Kaurova, N.; Blundell, R.; Goltsman, G.
Title Gap frequency and photon absorption in a hot electron bolometer Type Conference Article
Year 2016 Publication Proc. 27th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. Abbreviated Journal Proc. 27th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol.
Volume Issue Pages 121
Keywords (up) NbN HEB; Si membrane
Abstract The superconducting energy gap is a crucial parameter of a superconductor when used in mixing applications. In the case of the SIS mixer, the mixing process is efficient for frequencies below the energy gap, whereas, in the case of the HEB mixer, the mixing process is most efficient at frequencies above the gap, where photon absorption takes place more readily. We have investigated the photon absorption phenomenon around the gap frequency of HEB mixers based on NbN films deposited on silicon membranes. Apart from studying the pumped I-V curves of HEB devices, we have also probed them with microwave radiation, as previously described [1]. At frequencies far below the gap frequency, the pumped I-V curves show abrupt switching between the superconducting and resistive states. For the NbN HEB mixers we tested, which have critical temperatures of ~9 K, this is true for frequencies below about 400 GHz. As the pump frequency is increased beyond 400 GHz, the resistive state extends towards zero bias and at some point a small region of negative differential resistance appears close to zero bias. In this region, the microwave probe reveals that the device impedance is changing randomly with time. As the pump frequency is further increased, this random impedance change develops into relaxation oscillations, which can be observed by the demodulation of the reflected microwave probe. Initially, these oscillations take the form of several frequencies grouped together under an envelope. As we approach the gap frequency, the multiple frequency relaxation oscillations coalesce into a single frequency of a few MHz. The resultant square-wave nature of the oscillation is a clear indication that the device is in a bi-stable state, switching between the superconducting and normal state. Above the gap frequency, it is possible to obtain a pumped I-V curve with no negative differential resistance above a threshold pumping level. Below this pumping level, the device demonstrates bi-stability, and regular relaxation oscillation at a few MHz is observed as a function of pump power. The threshold pumping level is clearly related to the amount of power absorbed by the device and its phonon cooling. From the above experiment, we can derive the gap frequency of the NbN film, which is 585 GHz for our 6 μm thin silicon membrane-based device. We also confirm that the HEB mixer is not an efficient photon absorber for radiation below the gap frequency. 1. A. Trifonov et al., “Probing the stability of HEB mixers with microwave injection”, IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., vol. 25, no. 3, June 2015.
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Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1204
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Author Smirnov, K.; Vachtomin, Y.; Divochiy, A.; Antipov, A.; Goltsman, G.
Title The limitation of noise equivalent power by background radiation for infrared superconducting single photon detectors coupled to standard single mode optical fibers Type Journal Article
Year 2015 Publication Rus. J. Radio Electron. Abbreviated Journal Rus. J. Radio Electron.
Volume Issue 5 Pages
Keywords (up) NbN SSPD
Abstract We investigated the minimum level of the dark count rates and noise equivalent power of superconducting single photon detectors coupled to standard single mode optical fibers. We found that background radiation limits the minimum level of the dark count rates. We also proposed the effective method for reducing background radiation out of the required spectral range of the detector. Measured noise equivalent power of detector reaches 8.9×10-19 W×Hz1/2 at a wavelength of 1.55 μm and quantum efficiency 35%.
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Notes 14 pages Approved no
Call Number Serial 1813
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Author Shcherbatenko, M.; Lobanov, Y.; Semenov, A.; Kovalyuk, V.; Korneev, A.; Ozhegov, R.; Kazakov, A.; Voronov, B.M.; Goltsman, G.N.
Title Potential of a superconducting photon counter for heterodyne detection at the telecommunication wavelength Type Journal Article
Year 2016 Publication Opt. Express Abbreviated Journal Opt. Express
Volume 24 Issue 26 Pages 30474-30484
Keywords (up) NbN SSPD mixer, SNSPD
Abstract Here, we report on the successful operation of a NbN thin film superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD) in a coherent mode (as a mixer) at the telecommunication wavelength of 1550 nm. Providing the local oscillator power of the order of a few picowatts, we were practically able to reach the quantum noise limited sensitivity. The intermediate frequency gain bandwidth (also referred to as response or conversion bandwidth) was limited by the spectral band of a single-photon response pulse of the detector, which is proportional to the detector size. We observed a gain bandwidth of 65 MHz and 140 MHz for 7 x 7 microm2 and 3 x 3 microm2 devices, respectively. A tiny amount of the required local oscillator power and wide gain and noise bandwidths, along with unnecessary low noise amplification, make this technology prominent for various applications, with the possibility for future development of a photon counting heterodyne-born large-scale array.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1094-4087 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:28059394 Approved no
Call Number Serial 1207
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Author Ryabchun, S.; Smirnov, A.; Pentin, I.; Vakhtomin, Yu.; Smirnov, K.; Kaurova, N.; Voronov, B.; Goltsman, G.
Title Superconducting single photon detector integrated with optical cavity Type Conference Article
Year 2011 Publication Proc. MLPLIT Abbreviated Journal Proc. MLPLIT
Volume Issue Pages 143-145
Keywords (up) NbN SSPD, cavity
Abstract
Address Suzdal / Vladimir (Russia)
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Modern laser physics and laser-information technologies for science and manufacture Place of Publication Editor
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Area Expedition Conference 1st international russian-chinese conference / youthschool-workshop
Notes September 23-28, 2011 Approved no
Call Number Serial 1385
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Author Korneev, A.; Korneeva, Y.; Florya, I.; Voronov, B.; Goltsman, G.
Title NbN nanowire superconducting single-photon detector for mid-infrared Type Journal Article
Year 2012 Publication Phys. Procedia Abbreviated Journal Phys. Procedia
Volume 36 Issue Pages 72-76
Keywords (up) NbN SSPD, SNSPD
Abstract Superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPD) is typically 100 nm-wide supercondiucting strip in a shape of meander made of 4-nm-thick film. To reduce response time and increase voltage response a parallel connection of the strips was proposed. Recently we demonstrated that reduction of the strip width improves the quantum effciency of such a detector at wavelengths longer than 1.5 μm. Being encourage by this progress in quantum effciency we improved the fabrication process and made parallel-wire SSPD with 40-nm-wide strips covering total area of 10 μm x 10 μm. In this paper we present the results of the characterization of such a parallel-wire SSPD at 10.6 μm wavelength and demonstrate linear dependence of the count rate on the light power as it should be in case of single-photon response.
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ISSN 1875-3892 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1382
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