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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Fabrication and Operation of a Nano-Optical Conveyor Belt

Fabrication and Operation of a Nano-Optical Conveyor Belt

Published on: August 26, 2015

A superconducting NbN detector for neutral nanoparticles.

Markus Marksteiner¹, Alexander Divochiy, Michele Sclafani

¹University of Vienna, Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. markus.arndt@univie.ac.at

|October 14, 2009

Summary

We demonstrate superconducting single photon detectors (SSPD) can detect individual neutral molecules and nanoparticles. This technology characterizes biomolecular beams, including amino acids and proteins.

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Area of Science:

Physics
Chemistry
Biophysics

Background:

Superconducting single photon detectors (SSPD) are highly sensitive devices typically used for photon detection.
Detecting individual neutral molecules or nanoparticles presents unique challenges due to their mass and charge state.

Purpose of the Study:

To present a proof-of-principle study demonstrating the capability of SSPDs for detecting individual neutral molecules/nanoparticles at low energies.
To apply this novel detection method to characterize a laser desorption source for biomolecules.

Main Methods:

Utilized superconducting single photon detectors (SSPD) adapted for the detection of neutral particles.
Applied the detector to analyze a pulsed molecular beam generated by laser desorption.
Characterized the arrival time distribution of various biomolecules, including tryptophan, gramicidin, insulin, myoglobin, and hemoglobin.

Main Results:

Successfully demonstrated the detection of individual neutral molecules and nanoparticles using SSPDs.
Retrieved the arrival time distribution of a pulsed molecular beam containing diverse biomolecules.
Provided experimental evidence supporting the detector's sensitivity to isolated neutral particles.

Conclusions:

Superconducting single photon detectors (SSPD) offer a viable method for detecting individual neutral molecules and nanoparticles.
This technique enables detailed characterization of molecular beams, crucial for applications in mass spectrometry and molecular analysis.
The study confirms the potential of SSPDs beyond photon detection for fundamental particle analysis.