PT Journal AU Ejrnaes, M Cristiano, R Quaranta, O Pagano, S Gaggero, A Mattioli, F Leoni, R Voronov, B Gol’tsman, G TI A cascade switching superconducting single photon detector SO Appl. Phys. Lett. JI Appl. Phys. Lett. PY 2007 BP 262509 (1 to 3) VL 91 IS 26 DI 10.1063/1.2828138 DE SSPD; SNSPD; parallel-wire AB We have realized superconducting single photon detectors with reduced inductance and increased signal pulse amplitude. The detectors are based on a parallel connection of ultrathin NbN nanowires with a common bias inductance. When properly biased, an absorbed photon induces a cascade switch of all the parallel wires generating a signal pulse amplitude of 2mV. The parallel wire configuration lowers the detector inductance and reduces the response time well below 1ns.This work was performed in the framework of the EU project “SINPHONIA” NMP4-CT-2005-016433. ER