Abstract: The fabrication of planar junctions in carbon nanomaterials is a promising way to increase the optical sensitivity of optoelectronic nanometer-scale devices in photonic connections, sensors, and photovoltaics. Utilizing a unique lithography approach based on direct femtosecond laser processing, a fast and easy technique for modification of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) optoelectronic properties through localized two-photon oxidation is developed. It results in a novel approach of quasimetallic to semiconducting nanotube conversion so that metal/semiconductor planar junction is formed via local laser patterning. The fabricated planar junction in the field-effect transistors based on individual SWCNT drastically increases the photoresponse of such devices. The broadband photoresponsivity of the two-photon oxidized structures reaches the value of 2 × 107 A W−1 per single SWCNT at 1 V bias voltage. The SWCNT-based transistors with induced metal/semiconductor planar junction can be applied to detect extremely small light intensities with high spatial resolution in photovoltaics, integrated circuits, and telecommunication applications.

Abstract: We report our study of detection efficiency (DE) saturation in wavelength range 400 – 1550 nm for the NbN Superconducting Microstrip Single-Photon Detectors (SMSPD) featuring the strip width up to 3 μm. We observe an expected decrease of the $DE$ saturation plateau with the increase of photon wavelength and decrease of film sheet resistance. At 1.7 K temperature DE saturation can be clearly observed at 1550 nm wavelength in strip with the width up to 2 μm when sheet resistance of the film is above 630Ω/sq. In such strips the length of the saturation plateau almost does not depend on the strip width. We used these films to make meander-shaped detectors with the light sensitive area from 20×20μm2 to a circle 50 μm in diameter. In the latter case, the detector with the strip width of 0.49 μm demonstrates saturation of DE up to 1064 nm wavelength. Although DE at 1310 and 1550 nm is not saturated, it is as high as 60%. The response time is limited by the kinetic inductance and equals to 20 ns(by 1/e decay), timing jitter is 44 ps. When coupled to multi-mode fibre large-area meanders demonstrate significantly higher dark count rate which we attribute to thermal background photons, thus advanced filtering technique would be required for practical applications.

Abstract: The temperature dependence of the resistivity of Nb thin films has been studied at T=4.2-300 K. It has been shown that quantum interference between electron-phonon and electron-impurity scattering determines the temperature dependence of the resistivity of the films investigated over a broad temperature range. The magnitude of the contribution of the electron-phonon-impurity,interference is described satisfactorily by the theory developed by Reizer and Sergeev {Zh. Eksp. Teor. Fiz. 92,2291 (1987) [Sov. Phys. JETP 65, 1291 (1987)l). The interaction constants of electrons with longitudinal and transverse phonons in Nb films have been determined for the first time by comparing the experimental data with the theory. The values of the constants obtained are consistent with the data on the inelastic electron-phonon scattering times in the films investigated. The contribution of the transverse phonons is dominant both in the interference correction to the resistivity and in the electron energy relaxation.

Abstract: Mixing at 20 GHz in niobium superconducting thin film strips in the resistive state is studied. Experiments give evidence that electron-heating is the main cause of the non linear phenomena. The requirements on the mode of operation and on the film parameters for small conversion loss and the possibility of conversion gain are discussed. Measurements indicate a minimum intrinsic conversion loss around 1 dB with a sharp drop for the lowest voltage bias-points, and a DSB mixer noise temperature between 100 and 450 K at 20 GHz. The device output noise temperature at the mixer operating point can be as low as 30-50 K. A simple theory is presented, which is based on the assumption that the small signal resistance is linearly dependent on power. This type of mixer is considered very promising for use in low-noise heterodyne receivers at THz frequencies.

Abstract: We present development of large active area superconducting single-photon detectors well coupled with standard 50 μm-core multi-mode fiber. The sensitive area of the SSPD is patterned using the photon-number-resolving design and occupies an area of 40×40 μm2. Using this approach, we have obtained excellent specifications: system detection efficiency of 47% measured using a 900 nm laser and low dark count rate of 100 cps. The main advantages of the approach presented are a very short dead time of the detector of 22 ns and FWHM jitter value of about 130 ps.