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Author Milostnaya, I.; Korneev, A.; Rubtsova, I.; Seleznev, V.; Minaeva, O.; Chulkova, G.; Okunev, O.; Voronov, B.; Smirnov, K.; Gol'tsman, G.; Slysz, W.; Wegrzecki, M.; Guziewicz, M.; Bar, J.; Gorska, M.; Pearlman, A.; Kitaygorsky, J.; Cross, A.; Sobolewski, R.
Title Superconducting single-photon detectors designed for operation at 1.55-µm telecommunication wavelength Type Conference Article
Year 2006 Publication J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. Abbreviated Journal J. Phys.: Conf. Ser.
Volume 43 Issue Pages 1334-1337
Keywords NbN SSPD, SNSPD
Abstract We report on our progress in development of superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs), specifically designed for secure high-speed quantum communications. The SSPDs consist of NbN-based meander nanostructures and operate at liquid helium temperatures. In general, our devices are capable of GHz-rate photon counting in a spectral range from visible light to mid-infrared. The device jitter is 18 ps and dark counts can reach negligibly small levels. The quantum efficiency (QE) of our best SSPDs for visible-light photons approaches a saturation level of ~30-40%, which is limited by the NbN film absorption. For the infrared range (1.55µm), QE is ~6% at 4.2 K, but it can be significantly improved by reduction of the operation temperature to the 2-K level, when QE reaches ~20% for 1.55-µm photons. In order to further enhance the SSPD efficiency at the wavelength of 1.55 µm, we have integrated our detectors with optical cavities, aiming to increase the effective interaction of the photon with the superconducting meander and, therefore, increase the QE. A successful effort was made to fabricate an advanced SSPD structure with an optical microcavity optimized for absorption of 1.55 µm photons. The design consisted of a quarter-wave dielectric layer, combined with a metallic mirror. Early tests performed on relatively low-QE devices integrated with microcavities, showed that the QE value at the resonator maximum (1.55-µm wavelength) was of the factor 3-to-4 higher than that for a nonresonant SSPD. Independently, we have successfully coupled our SSPDs to single-mode optical fibers. The completed receivers, inserted into a liquid-helium transport dewar, reached ~1% system QE for 1.55 µm photons. The SSPD receivers that are fiber-coupled and, simultaneously, integrated with resonators are expected to be the ultimate photon counters for optical quantum communications.
Address
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 1742-6588 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference (up)
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1450
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Author Pearlman, A.; Cross, A.; Slysz, W.; Zhang, J.; Verevkin, A.; Currie, M.; Korneev, A.; Kouminov, P.; Smirnov, K.; Voronov, B.; Gol’tsman, G.; Sobolewski, R.
Title Gigahertz counting rates of NbN single-photon detectors for quantum communications Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. Abbreviated Journal IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond.
Volume 15 Issue 2 Pages 579-582
Keywords NbN SSPD, SNSPD
Abstract We report on the GHz counting rate and jitter of our nanostructured superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs). The devices were patterned in 4-nm-thick and about 100-nm-wide NbN meander stripes and covered a 10-/spl mu/m/spl times/10-/spl mu/m area. We were able to count single photons at both the visible and infrared telecommunication wavelengths at rates of over 2 GHz with a timing jitter of below 18 ps. We also present the model for the origin of the SSPD switching dynamics and jitter, based on the time-delay effect in the phase-slip-center formation mechanism during the detector photoresponse process. With further improvements in our readout electronics, we expect that our SSPDs will reach counting rates of up to 10 GHz. An integrated quantum communications receiver based on two fiber-coupled SSPDs and operating at 1550-nm wavelength is also presented.
Address
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 (up)
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1465
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Author Korneev, A.; Matvienko, V.; Minaeva, O.; Milostnaya, I.; Rubtsova, I.; Chulkova, G.; Smirnov, K.; Voronov, V.; Gol’tsman, G.; Slysz, W.; Pearlman, A.; Verevkin, A.; Sobolewski, R.
Title Quantum efficiency and noise equivalent power of nanostructured, NbN, single-photon detectors in the wavelength range from visible to infrared Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. Abbreviated Journal IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond.
Volume 15 Issue 2 Pages 571-574
Keywords NbN SSPD, SNSPD, QE, NEP
Abstract We present our studies on the quantum efficiency (QE) and the noise equivalent power (NEP) of the latest-generation, nanostructured, superconducting, single-photon detectors (SSPDs) in the wavelength range from 0.5 to 5.6 /spl mu/m, operated at temperatures in the 2.0- to 4.2-K range. Our detectors are designed as 4-nm-thick and 100-nm-wide NbN meander-shaped stripes, patterned by electron-beam lithography and cover a 10/spl times/10-/spl mu/m/sup 2/ active area. The best-achieved QE at 2.0 K for 1.55-/spl mu/m photons is 17%, and QE for 1.3-/spl mu/m infrared photons reaches its saturation value of /spl sim/30%. The SSPD NEP at 2.0 K is as low as 5/spl times/10/sup -21/ W/Hz/sup -1/2/. Our nanostructured SSPDs, operated at 2.0 K, significantly outperform their semiconducting counterparts, and, together with their GHz counting rate and picosecond timing jitter, they are devices-of-choice for practical quantum key distribution systems and free-space (even interplanetary) quantum optical communications.
Address
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 (up)
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1467
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Author Verevkin, A.; Pearlman, A.; Slysz, W.; Zhang, J.; Currie, M.; Korneev, A.; Chulkova, G.; Okunev, O.; Kouminov, P.; Smirnov, K.; Voronov, B.; Gol'tsman, G. N.; Sobolewski, R.
Title Ultrafast superconducting single-photon detectors for near-infrared-wavelength quantum communications Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication J. Modern Opt. Abbreviated Journal J. Modern Opt.
Volume 51 Issue 9-10 Pages 1447-1458
Keywords NbN SSPD, SNSPD
Abstract The paper reports progress on the design and development of niobium-nitride, superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) for ultrafast counting of near-infrared photons for secure quantum communications. The SSPDs operate in the quantum detection mode, based on photon-induced hotspot formation and subsequent appearance of a transient resistive barrier across an ultrathin and submicron-width superconducting stripe. The devices are fabricated from 3.5 nm thick NbN films and kept at cryogenic (liquid helium) temperatures inside a cryostat. The detector experimental quantum efficiency in the photon-counting mode reaches above 20% in the visible radiation range and up to 10% at the 1.3–1.55 μn infrared range. The dark counts are below 0.01 per second. The measured real-time counting rate is above 2 GHz and is limited by readout electronics (the intrinsic response time is below 30 ps). The SSPD jitter is below 18 ps, and the best-measured value of the noise-equivalent power (NEP) is 2 × 10−18 W/Hz1/2. at 1.3 μm. In terms of photon-counting efficiency and speed, these NbN SSPDs significantly outperform semiconductor avalanche photodiodes and photomultipliers.
Address
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 0950-0340 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference (up)
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1488
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Author Goltsman, G.; Korneev, A.; Izbenko, V.; Smirnov, K.; Kouminov, P.; Voronov, B.; Kaurova, N.; Verevkin, A.; Zhang, J.; Pearlman, A.; Slysz, W.; Sobolewski, R.
Title Nano-structured superconducting single-photon detectors Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment Abbreviated Journal
Volume 520 Issue 1-3 Pages 527-529
Keywords NbN SSPD, SNSPD
Abstract NbN detectors, formed into meander-type, 10×10-μm2 area structures, based on ultrathin (down to 3.5-nm thickness) and nanometer-width (down to below 100 nm) NbN films are capable of efficiently detecting and counting single photons from the ultraviolet to near-infrared optical wavelength range. Our best devices exhibit QE >15% in the visible range and ∼10% in the 1.3–1.5-μm infrared telecommunication window. The noise equivalent power (NEP) ranges from ∼10−17 W/Hz1/2 at 1.5 μm radiation to ∼10−19 W/Hz1/2 at 0.56 μm, and the dark counts are over two orders of magnitude lower than in any semiconducting competitors. The intrinsic response time is estimated to be <30 ps. Such ultrafast detector response enables a very high, GHz-rate real-time counting of single photons. Already established applications of NbN photon counters are non-invasive testing and debugging of VLSI Si CMOS circuits and quantum communications.
Address
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 0168-9002 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference (up)
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1495
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