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Gated mode superconducting nanowire single photon detectors
Mohsen K Akhlaghi1, A Hamed Majedi
1Institute for Quantum Computing and ECE Department, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
Optics Express
|January 26, 2012
Summary
Superconducting nanowire detectors achieve faster gated-mode operation using a bistable system. This breakthrough enhances maximum count rates to the GHz range, improving quantum information applications.
Area of Science:
- Quantum optics
- Quantum information science
- Superconducting device physics
Background:
- Single photon detectors are essential for quantum technologies.
- Superconducting nanowire detectors offer high performance but are limited by count rate in free-running mode.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate gated-mode operation for large active area superconducting nanowire single photon detectors.
- To overcome the count rate limitations of free-running detectors.
Main Methods:
- Exploitation of a bistable superconducting nanowire system.
- Implementation of gated-mode operation for a single element device.
- Operation at a frequency of 625 MHz.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the first gated-mode operation for a large active area superconducting nanowire single photon detector.
- Achieved a maximum count rate one order of magnitude higher than free-running counterparts.
- Showcased potential for GHz range count rates without compromising active area or quantum efficiency.
- Reduced dark count rates in gated-mode operation.
Conclusions:
- Gated-mode operation significantly enhances the speed of superconducting nanowire single photon detectors.
- This advancement is crucial for pushing the boundaries of quantum optics and quantum information processing.
- The technology offers a pathway to higher data rates in quantum experiments.
