Optically induced quantum transitions in direct probed mesoscopic NbSe₂ for prototypical bolometers

Superconducting transition-edge sensors (TES) have emerged as fascinating devices to detect broadband electromagnetic radiation with low thermal noise. The advent of metallic transition metal dichalcogenides, such as NbSe₂, has also created an impetus to understand their low-temperature properties, including superconductivity. Interestingly, NbSe₂-based sensor within the TES framework remains unexplored. In this work, direct-probed superconducting NbSe₂ absorbers led to a proof-of-concept demonstration for the transduction of incoming light to heat, where a thermodynamic superconducting phase transition in NbSe₂ was evident to switch it to the normal state, when biased below its superconducting transition temperature. A wavelength-dependent response of its optical absorption properties was observed, based on the incident optical excitation source used. Furthermore, extensive optical characterization studies were conducted using Raman spectroscopy, where the in-plane and out-of-plane thermal conductivity was empirically determined. Our results open possibilities for the use of NbSe₂ in superconducting radiation detectors, including in a TES framework.