Multimode-fiber-coupled superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors with high detection efficiency and time...

Area of Science:

• Quantum Optics
• Photonics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) are crucial for quantum optics.
• Current SNSPDs primarily use single-mode fibers, limiting efficiency in some applications.
• Multimode fiber-coupled SNSPDs offer efficiency but lack high time resolution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of polarization on multimode fiber-coupled SNSPD efficiency.
• To develop high-performance SNSPDs for multimode fiber coupling.
• To achieve simultaneous high efficiency and high time resolution in SNSPDs.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of 20 µm, 25 µm, and 50 µm diameter SNSPDs.
• Utilized a custom setup to simulate realistic experimental conditions with randomized fiber modes.
• Evaluated detector performance across visible, near-infrared, and telecom wavelengths.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated over 80% system efficiency with <20 ps timing jitter for 20 µm SNSPDs.
• Achieved 70% system efficiency with <20 ps timing jitter for 50 µm SNSPDs.
• Showcased the role of polarization in optimizing multimode fiber coupling efficiency.

Conclusions:

• Developed high-efficiency multimode-fiber-coupled SNSPDs with superior time resolution.
• These advanced SNSPDs are suitable for demanding quantum optics experiments.
• The findings pave the way for enhanced performance in quantum nano-photonics and bio-optics.