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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Quantum State Engineering of Light with Continuous-wave Optical Parametric Oscillators
09:23

Quantum State Engineering of Light with Continuous-wave Optical Parametric Oscillators

Published on: May 30, 2014

Single photon source characterization with a superconducting single photon detector.

Robert H Hadfield, Martin J Stevens, Steven S Gruber

    Optics Express
    |June 9, 2009
    PubMed
    Summary
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    Superconducting single photon detectors (SSPDs) enable precise characterization of quantum dot single photon sources. These detectors offer faster rates and lower jitter than traditional avalanche photodiodes, improving measurement resolution.

    Area of Science:

    • Quantum Optics
    • Solid-State Physics
    • Nanotechnology

    Background:

    • Superconducting single photon detectors (SSPDs) offer high-performance single photon counting.
    • Nanopatterned niobium nitride wires are used for fabricating SSPDs.
    • SSPDs operate across visible to infrared wavelengths with low dark counts and jitter.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To demonstrate the first use of a cryocooler-packaged SSPD for single photon source characterization.
    • To evaluate the performance of an SSPD in a Hanbury-Brown Twiss interferometer setup.
    • To measure the second-order correlation function, g(2)(τ), of a quantum dot single photon source.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilized a superconducting single photon detector (SSPD) based on nanopatterned niobium nitride wires.

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    Fabrication and Characterization of Superconducting Resonators

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    Related Experiment Videos

    Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

    Quantum State Engineering of Light with Continuous-wave Optical Parametric Oscillators
    09:23

    Quantum State Engineering of Light with Continuous-wave Optical Parametric Oscillators

    Published on: May 30, 2014

    Measurement of Quantum Interference in a Silicon Ring Resonator Photon Source
    12:19

    Measurement of Quantum Interference in a Silicon Ring Resonator Photon Source

    Published on: April 4, 2017

    Fabrication and Characterization of Superconducting Resonators
    10:26

    Fabrication and Characterization of Superconducting Resonators

    Published on: May 21, 2016

  • Packaged the SSPD in a commercial cryocooler for operation.
  • Replaced a silicon Avalanche Photodiode (APD) with the SSPD in a Hanbury-Brown Twiss interferometer.
  • Characterized an optically pumped, microcavity-coupled InGaAs quantum dot single photon source at 902 nm.

    • Main Results:

    • Achieved a detection efficiency greater than 2% for the SSPD system, including coupling losses.
    • Measured a system electronics jitter of 170 ps with the SSPD, significantly lower than the 550 ps jitter of the APD.
    • Enabled improved resolution in measuring the spontaneous emission lifetime of the quantum dot source.

    Conclusions:

    • SSPDs are suitable for advanced quantum source characterization.
    • The low jitter of SSPDs enhances the precision of time-resolved measurements.
    • This work validates SSPDs as a superior alternative to APDs for specific quantum optics applications.