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Author Korneev, A. A.
Title Superconducting NbN microstrip single-photon detectors Type Abstract
Year 2021 Publication Proc. Quantum Optics and Photon Counting Abbreviated Journal Proc. Quantum Optics and Photon Counting
Volume (down) 11771 Issue Pages
Keywords NbN SSPD, SNSPD
Abstract Superconducting Single-Photon Detectors (SSPD) invented two decades ago have evolved to a mature technology and have become devices of choice in the advanced applications of quantum optics, such as quantum cryptography and optical quantum computing. In these applications SSPDs are coupled to single-mode fibers and feature almost unity detection efficiency, negligible dark counts, picosecond timing jitter and MHz photon count rate. Meanwhile, there are great many applications requiring coupling to multi-mode fibers or free space. ‘Classical’ SSPDs with 100-nm-wide superconducting strip and covering area of about 100 µm2 are not suitable for further scaling due to degradation of performance and low fabrication yield. Recently we have demonstrated single-photon counting in micron-wide superconducting bridges and strips. Here we present our approach to the realization of practical photon-counting detectors of large enough area to be efficiently coupled to multi-mode fibers or free space. The detector is either a meander or a spiral of 1-µm-wide strip covering an area of 50x50 µm2. Being operated at 1.7K temperature it demonstrates the saturated detection efficiency (i.e. limited by the absorption in the detector) up to 1550 nm wavelength, about 10 ns dead time and timing jitter in range 50-100 ps.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher SPIE Place of Publication Editor Prochazka, I.; Štefaňák, M.; Sobolewski, R.; Gábris, A.
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference Quantum Optics and Photon Counting; SPIE Optics + Optoelectronics, 2021, Online Only
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1784
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Author Zhang, J.; Verevkin, A.; Slysz, W.; Chulkova, G.; Korneev, A.; Lipatov, A.; Okunev, O.; Gol’tsman, G. N.; Sobolewski, Roman
Title Time-resolved characterization of NbN superconducting single-photon optical detectors Type Conference Article
Year 2017 Publication Proc. SPIE Abbreviated Journal Proc. SPIE
Volume (down) 10313 Issue Pages 103130F (1 to 3)
Keywords NbN SSPD, SNSPD
Abstract NbN superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) are very promising devices for their picosecond response time, high intrinsic quantum efficiency, and high signal-to-noise ratio within the radiation wavelength from ultraviolet to near infrared (0.4 gm to 3 gm) [1-3]. The single photon counting property of NbN SSPDs have been investigated thoroughly and a model of hotspot formation has been introduced to explain the physics of the photon- counting mechanism [4-6]. At high incident flux density (many-photon pulses), there are, of course, a large number of hotspots simultaneously formed in the superconducting stripe. If these hotspots overlap with each other across the width w of the stripe, a resistive barrier is formed instantly and a voltage signal can be generated. We assume here that the stripe thickness d is less than the electron diffusion length, so the hotspot region can be considered uniform. On the other hand, when the photon flux is so low that on average only one hotspot is formed across w at a given time, the formation of the resistive barrier will be realized only when the supercurrent at sidewalks surpasses the critical current (jr) of the superconducting stripe [1]. In the latter situation, the formation of the resistive barrier is associated with the phase-slip center (PSC) development. The effect of PSCs on the suppression of superconductivity in nanowires has been discussed very recently [8, 9] and is the subject of great interest.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher SPIE Place of Publication Editor Armitage, J. C.
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference Opto-Canada: SPIE Regional Meeting on Optoelectronics, Photonics, and Imaging, 2002, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Notes Downloaded from http://www2.ece.rochester.edu/projects/ufqp/PDF/2002/213NbNTimeOPTO_b.pdf This artcle was published in 2017 with only first author indicated (Zhang, J.). There were 8 more authors! Approved no
Call Number Serial 1750
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Author Shcherbatenko, M.; Lobanov, Y.; Semenov, A.; Kovalyuk, V.; Korneev, A.; Ozhegov, R.; Kaurova, N.; Voronov, B.; Goltsman, G.
Title Coherent detection of weak signals with superconducting nanowire single photon detector at the telecommunication wavelength Type Conference Article
Year 2017 Publication Proc. SPIE Abbreviated Journal Proc. SPIE
Volume (down) 10229 Issue Pages 0G (1 to 12)
Keywords SSPD mixer, SNSPD, coherent detection, weak signal detection, superconducting nanostructures
Abstract Achievement of the ultimate sensitivity along with a high spectral resolution is one of the frequently addressed problems, as the complication of the applied and fundamental scientific tasks being explored is growing up gradually. In our work, we have investigated performance of a superconducting nanowire photon-counting detector operating in the coherent mode for detection of weak signals at the telecommunication wavelength. Quantum-noise limited sensitivity of the detector was ensured by the nature of the photon-counting detection and restricted by the quantum efficiency of the detector only. Spectral resolution given by the heterodyne technique and was defined by the linewidth and stability of the Local Oscillator (LO). Response bandwidth was found to coincide with the detector’s pulse width, which, in turn, could be controlled by the nanowire length. In addition, the system noise bandwidth was shown to be governed by the electronics/lab equipment, and the detector noise bandwidth is predicted to depend on its jitter. As have been demonstrated, a very small amount of the LO power (of the order of a few picowatts down to hundreds of femtowatts) was required for sufficient detection of the test signal, and eventual optimization could lead to further reduction of the LO power required, which would perfectly suit for the foreseen development of receiver matrices and the need for detection of ultra-low signals at a level of less-than-one-photon per second.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Spie Place of Publication Editor Prochazka, I.; Sobolewski, R.; James, R.B.
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference Photon counting applications
Notes Approved no
Call Number 10.1117/12.2267724 Serial 1201
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Author Rath, P.; Vetter, A.; Kovalyuk, V.; Ferrari, S.; Kahl, O.; Nebel, C.; Goltsman, G. N.; Korneev, A.; Pernice, W. H. P.
Title Travelling-wave single-photon detectors integrated with diamond photonic circuits: operation at visible and telecom wavelengths with a timing jitter down to 23 ps Type Conference Article
Year 2016 Publication Integrated Optics: Devices, Mat. Technol. XX Abbreviated Journal Integrated Optics: Devices, Mat. Technol. XX
Volume (down) 9750 Issue Pages 135-142
Keywords SSPD, Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detector, SNSPD, Single Photon Detector, Diamond Photonics, Diamond Integrated Optics, Diamond Waveguides, Integrated Optics, Low Timing Jitter
Abstract We report on the design, fabrication and measurement of travelling-wave superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) integrated with polycrystalline diamond photonic circuits. We analyze their performance both in the near-infrared wavelength regime around 1600 nm and at 765 nm. Near-IR detection is important for compatibility with the telecommunication infrastructure, while operation in the visible wavelength range is relevant for compatibility with the emission line of silicon vacancy centers in diamond which can be used as efficient single-photon sources. Our detectors feature high critical currents (up to 31 μA) and high performance in terms of efficiency (up to 74% at 765 nm), noise-equivalent power (down to 4.4×10-19 W/Hz1/2 at 765 nm) and timing jitter (down to 23 ps).
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Spie Place of Publication Editor Broquin, J.-E.; Conti, G.N.
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 1210
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Author Korneev, A.; Korneeva, Y.; Florya, I.; Voronov, B.; Goltsman, G.
Title Spectral sensitivity of narrow strip NbN superconducting single-photon detector Type Conference Article
Year 2011 Publication Proc. SPIE Abbreviated Journal Proc. SPIE
Volume (down) 8072 Issue Pages 80720G (1 to 9)
Keywords NbN SSPD, SNSPD
Abstract Superconducting single-photon detector (SSPD) is patterned from 4-nm-thick NbN film deposited on sapphire substrate as a 100-nm-wide strip. Due to its high detection efficiency, low dark counts, and picosecond timing jitter SSPD has become a competitor to the InGaAs avalanche photodiodes at 1550 nm and longer wavelengths. Although the SSPD is operated at liquid helium temperature its efficient single-mode fibre coupling enabled its usage in many applications ranging from single-photon sources research to quantum cryptography. In our strive to increase the detection efficiency at 1550 nm and longer wavelengths we developed and fabricated SSPD with the strip almost twice narrower compared to the standard 100 nm. To increase the voltage response of the device we utilized cascade switching mechanism: we connected 50-nm-wide and 10-μm-long strips in parallel covering the area of 10 μmx10 μm. Absorption of a photon breaks the superconductivity in a strip leading to the bias current redistribution between other strips followed their cascade switching. As the total current of all the strips about is 1 mA by the order of magnitude the response voltage of such an SSPD is several times higher compared to the traditional meander-shaped SSPDs. In middle infrared (about 3 μm wavelength) these devices have the detection efficiency several times higher compared to the traditional SSPDs.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher SPIE Place of Publication Editor Fiurásek, J.; Prochazka, I.
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference Photon Counting Applications, Quantum Optics, and Quantum Information Transfer and Processing III
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1387
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Author Korneev, A.; Divochiy, A.; Marsili, F.; Bitauld, D.; Fiore, A.; Seleznev, V.; Kaurova, N.; Tarkhov, M.; Minaeva, O.; Chulkova, G.; Smirnov, K.; Gaggero, A.; Leoni, R.; Mattioli, F.; Lagoudakis, K.; Benkhaoul, M.; Levy, F.; Goltsman, G.
Title Superconducting photon number resolving counter for near infrared applications Type Conference Article
Year 2008 Publication Proc. SPIE Abbreviated Journal Proc. SPIE
Volume (down) 7138 Issue Pages 713828 (1 to 5)
Keywords PNR SSPD; SNSPD; Nanowire superconducting single-photon detector, ultrathin NbN film, infrared
Abstract We present a novel concept of photon number resolving detector based on 120-nm-wide superconducting stripes made of 4-nm-thick NbN film and connected in parallel (PNR-SSPD). The detector consisting of 5 strips demonstrate a capability to resolve up to 4 photons absorbed simultaneously with the single-photon quantum efficiency of 2.5% and negligibly low dark count rate.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Spie Place of Publication Editor Tománek, P.; Senderáková, D.; Hrabovský, M.
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 10.1117/12.818079 Serial 1241
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Author Smirnov, K. V.; Vachtomin, Y. B.; Ozhegov, R. V.; Pentin, I. V.; Slivinskaya, E. V.; Korneev, A. A.; Goltsman, G. N.
Title Fiber coupled single photon receivers based on superconducting detectors for quantum communications and quantum cryptography Type Conference Article
Year 2008 Publication Proc. SPIE Abbreviated Journal Proc. SPIE
Volume (down) 7138 Issue Pages 713827 (1 to 6)
Keywords SSPD, SNSPD, superconducting single photon detector, ultra-thin superconducting films, optical fiber coupling, ready to use receiver
Abstract At present superconducting detectors become increasingly attractive for various practical applications. In this paper we present results on the depelopment of fiber coupled receiver systems for the registration of IR single photons, optimized for telecommunication and quantum-cryptography. These receiver systems were developed on the basis of superconducting single photon detectors (SSPD) of VIS and IR wavelength ranges. The core of the SSPD is a narrow ( 100 nm) and long ( 0,5 mm) strip in the form of a meander which is patterned from a 4-nm-thick NbN film (TC=10-11 K, jC= 5-7•106 A/cm2); the sensitive area dimensions are 10×10 μm2. The main problem to be solved while the receiver system development was optical coupling of a single-mode fiber (9 microns in diameter) with the SSPD sensitive area. Characteristics of the developed system at the optical input are as follows: quantum efficiency >10 % (at 1.3 μm), >4 % (at 1.55 μm); dark counts rate ≤1 s-1; duration of voltage pulse ≤5 ns; jitter ≤40 ps. The receiver systems have either one or two identical channels (for the case of carrying out correlation measurements) and are made as an insert in a helium storage Dewar.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Spie Place of Publication Editor Tománek, P.; Senderáková, D.; Hrabovský, M.
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 1405
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Author Okunev, O.; Chulkova, G.; Milostnaya, I.; Antipov, A.; Smirnov, K.; Morozov, D.; Korneev, A.; Voronov, B.; Gol’tsman, G.; Slysz, W.; Wegrzecki, M.; Bar, J.; Grabiec, P.; Górska, M.; Pearlman, A.; Cross, A.; Kitaygorsky, J.; Sobolewski, R.
Title Registration of infrared single photons by a two-channel receiver based on fiber-coupled superconducting single-photon detectors Type Conference Article
Year 2008 Publication Proc. SPIE Abbreviated Journal Proc. SPIE
Volume (down) 7009 Issue Pages 70090V (1 to 8)
Keywords SSPD, SNSPD, single-photon detectors, superconductors, superconducting nanost
Abstract Single-photon detectors (SPDs) are the foundation of all quantum communications (QC) protocols. Among different classes of SPDs currently studied, NbN superconducting SPDs (SSPDs) are established as the best devices for ultrafast counting of single photons in the infrared (IR) wavelength range. The SSPDs are nanostructured, 100 μm2 in total area, superconducting meanders, patterned by electron lithography in ultra-thin NbN films. Their operation has been explained within a phenomenological hot-electron photoresponse model. We present the design and performance of a novel, two-channel SPD receiver, based on two fiber-coupled NbN SSPDs. The receivers have been developed for fiber-based QC systems, operational at 1.3 μm and 1.55 μm telecommunication wavelengths. They operate in the temperature range from 4.2 K to 2 K, in which the NbN SSPDs exhibit their best performance. The receiver unit has been designed as a cryostat insert, placed inside a standard liquid-heliumstorage dewar. The input of the receiver consists of a pair of single-mode optical fibers, equipped with the standard FC connectors and kept at room temperature. Coupling between the SSPD and the fiber is achieved using a specially designed, precise micromechanical holder that places the fiber directly on top of the SSPD nanostructure. Our receivers achieve the quantum efficiency of up to 7% for near-IR photons, with the coupling efficiency of about 30%. The response time was measured to be < 1.5 ns and it was limited by our read-out electronics. The jitter of fiber-coupled SSPDs is < 35 ps and their dark-count rate is below 1s-1. The presented performance parameters show that our single-photon receivers are fully applicable for quantum correlation-type QC systems, including practical quantum cryptography.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher SPIE Place of Publication Editor Sukhoivanov, I.A.; Svich, V.A.; Shmaliy, Y.S.
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 1413
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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 (down) 6583 Issue 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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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Spie Place of Publication Editor Dusek, M.; Hillery, M.S.; Schleich, W.P.; Prochazka, I.; Migdall, A.L.; Pauchard, A.
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 1249
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Author Slysz, W.; Wegrzecki, M.; Bar, J.; Grabiec, P.; Gorska, M.; Rieger, E.; Dorenbos, P.; Zwiller, V.; Milostnaya, I.; Minaeva, O.; Antipov, A.; Okunev, O.; Korneev, A.; Smirnov, K.; Voronov, B.; Kaurova, N.; Gol’tsman, G.N.; Kitaygorsky, J.; Pan, D.; Pearlman, A.; Cross, A.; Komissarov, I.; Sobolewski, R.
Title Fiber-coupled NbN superconducting single-photon detectors for quantum correlation measurements Type Conference Article
Year 2007 Publication Proc. SPIE Abbreviated Journal Proc. SPIE
Volume (down) 6583 Issue Pages 65830J (1 to 11)
Keywords NbN SSPD, SNSPD, superconducting single-photon detectors, single-photon detectors, fiber-coupled optical detectors, quantum correlations, superconducting devices
Abstract We have fabricated fiber-coupled superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs), designed for quantum-correlationtype experiments. The SSPDs are nanostructured ( 100-nm wide and 4-nm thick) NbN superconducting meandering stripes, operated in the 2 to 4.2 K temperature range, and known for ultrafast and efficient detection of visible to nearinfrared photons with almost negligible dark counts. Our latest devices are pigtailed structures with coupling between the SSPD structure and a single-mode optical fiber achieved using a micromechanical photoresist ring placed directly over the meander. The above arrangement withstands repetitive thermal cycling between liquid helium and room temperature, and we can reach the coupling efficiency of up to  33%. The system quantum efficiency, measured as the ratio of the photons counted by SSPD to the total number of photons coupled into the fiber, in our early devices was found to be around 0.3 % and 1% for 1.55 &mgr;m and 0.9 &mgr;m photon wavelengths, respectively. The photon counting rate exceeded 250 MHz. The receiver with two SSPDs, each individually biased, was placed inside a transport, 60-liter liquid helium Dewar, assuring uninterrupted operation for over 2 months. Since the receiver’s optical and electrical connections are at room temperature, the set-up is suitable for any applications, where single-photon counting capability and fast count rates are desired. In our case, it was implemented for photon correlation experiments. The receiver response time, measured as a second-order photon cross-correlation function, was found to be below 400 ps, with timing jitter of less than 40 ps.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Spie Place of Publication Editor Dusek, M.; Hillery, M.S.; Schleich, W.P.; Prochazka, I.; Migdall, A.L.; Pauchard, A.
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference Photon Counting Applications, Quantum Optics, and Quantum Cryptography
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1431
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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 (down) 5957 Issue 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.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher SPIE Place of Publication Editor Rogalski, A.; Dereniak, E.L.; Sizov, F.F.
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference Infrared Photoelectronics
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1458
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Author Slysz, W.; Wegrzecki, M.; Bar, J.; Grabiec, P.; Górska, M.; Latta, C.; Zwiller, V.; Pearlman, A.; Cross, A.; Korneev, A.; Kouminov, P.; Smirnov, K.; Voronov, B.; Gol’tsman, G.; Verevkin, A.; Currie, M.; Sobolewski, R.
Title Fiber-coupled quantum-communications receiver based on two NbN superconducting single-photon detectors Type Conference Article
Year 2005 Publication Proc. SPIE Abbreviated Journal Proc. SPIE
Volume (down) 5957 Issue Pages 59571K (1 to 10)
Keywords SSPD, SNSPD, single-photon detectors, quantum communication, quantum cryptography, superconductors, infrared optical detectors
Abstract We present the design and performance of a novel, two-channel single-photon receiver, based on two fiber-coupled NbN superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs). The SSPDs are nanostructured superconducting meanders covering an area of 100 μm2 and are known for ultrafast and efficient counting of single, visible-to-infrared photons. Their operation has been explained within a phenomenological hot-electron photoresponse model. Our receiver is intended for fiber-based quantum cryptography and communication systems, operational at near-infrared (NIR) telecommunication wavelengths, λ = 1.3 μm and λ = 1.55 μm. Coupling between the NbN detector and a single-mode optical fiber was achieved using a specially designed, micromechanical photoresist ring, positioned directly over the SSPD active area. The positioning accuracy of the ring was below 1 μm. The receiver with SSPDs was placed (immersed) in a standard liquid-helium transport Dewar and kept without interruption for over two months at 4.2 K. At the same time, the optical fiber inputs and electrical outputs were kept at room temperature. Our best system reached a system quantum efficiency of up to 0.3 % in the NIR radiation range, with the detector coupling efficiency of about 30 %. The response time was measured to be about 250 ps and was limited by our read-out electronics. The measured jitter was close to 35 ps. The presented performance parameters show that our NIR single photon detectors are suitable for practical quantum cryptography and for applications in quantum-correlation experiments.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher SPIE Place of Publication Editor Rogalski, A.; Dereniak, E.L.; Sizov, F.F.
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference Infrared Photoelectronics
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1459
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Author Goltsman, G.; Korneev, A.; Minaeva, O.; Rubtsova, I.; Chulkova, G.; Milostnaya, I.; Smirnov, K.; Voronov, B.; Lipatov, A. P.; Pearlman, A. J.; Cross, A.; Slysz, W.; Verevkin, A. A.; Sobolewski, R.
Title Advanced nanostructured optical NbN single-photon detector operated at 2.0 K Type Conference Article
Year 2005 Publication Proc. SPIE Abbreviated Journal Proc. SPIE
Volume (down) 5732 Issue Pages 520-529
Keywords NbN SSPD, SNSPD
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.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Spie Place of Publication Editor Razeghi, M.; Brown, G.J.
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference Quantum Sensing and Nanophotonic Devices II
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1478
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Author Sobolewski, R.; Zhang, J.; Slysz, W.; Pearlman, A.; Verevkin, A.; Lipatov, A.; Okunev, O.; Chulkova, G.; Korneev, A.; Smirnov, K.; Kouminov, P.; Voronov, B.; Kaurova, N.; Drakinsky, V.; Goltsman, G. N.
Title Ultrafast superconducting single-photon optical detectors Type Conference Article
Year 2003 Publication Proc. SPIE Abbreviated Journal Proc. SPIE
Volume (down) 5123 Issue Pages 1-11
Keywords NbN SSPD, SNSPD
Abstract We present a new class of single-photon devices for counting of both visible and infrared photons. Our superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) are characterized by the intrinsic quantum efficiency (QE) reaching up to 100%, above 10 GHz counting rate, and negligible dark counts. The detection mechanism is based on the photon-induced hotspot formation and subsequent appearance of a transient resistive barrier across an ultrathin and submicron-wide superconducting stripe. The devices are fabricated from 3.5-nm-thick NbN films and operate at 4.2 K, well below the NbN superconducting transition temperature. Various continuous and pulsed laser sources in the wavelength range from 0.4 μm up to >3 μm were implemented in our experiments, enabling us to determine the detector QE in the photon-counting mode, response time, and jitter. For our best 3.5-nm-thick, 10×10 μm2-area devices, QE was found to reach almost 100% for any wavelength shorter than about 800 nm. For longer-wavelength (infrared) radiation, QE decreased exponentially with the photon wavelength increase. Time-resolved measurements of our SSPDs showed that the system-limited detector response pulse width was below 150 ps. The system jitter was measured to be 35 ps. In terms of the counting rate, jitter, and dark counts, the NbN SSPDs significantly outperform their semiconductor counterparts. Already identifeid and implemented applications of our devices range from noninvasive testing of semiconductor VLSI circuits to free-space quantum communications and quantum cryptography.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher SPIE Place of Publication Editor Spigulis, J.; Teteris, J.; Ozolinsh, M.; Lusis, A.
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference Advanced Optical Devices, Technologies, and Medical Applications
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1513
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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 (down) 4821 Issue 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.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher SPIE Place of Publication Editor Ricklin, J.C.; Voelz, D.G.
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference Free-Space Laser Communication and Laser Imaging II
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1523
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