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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 2, 2026

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

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Optically sampled superconducting-nanostrip photon-number resolving detector for non-classical quantum state

Mamoru Endo, Kazuma Takahashi, Takefumi Nomura

|July 30, 2025

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) can now resolve photon numbers. A novel optical sampling technique achieves picosecond resolution, enabling practical applications for these photon-number-resolving detectors (PNRDs).

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Last Updated: May 2, 2026

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Area of Science:

Quantum Optics
Photonics
Superconducting Devices

Background:

Photon-number-resolving detectors (PNRDs) are crucial for quantum optics.
Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) exhibit inherent photon number resolving capabilities.
Practical application of SNSPD-based PNRDs is hindered by challenges in detecting small signals with low signal-to-noise ratios.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a method for practical photon number resolution using SNSPDs.
To overcome the limitations of low signal-to-noise ratios and sub-nanosecond time frames in SNSPD measurements.
To enable real-time photon number resolution for enhanced quantum state generation and analysis.

Main Methods:

Utilized optical sampling with a dual-output Mach-Zehnder modulator (DO-MZM).
Employed an ultra-short pulsed laser synchronized with the SNSPD.
Adjusted DO-MZM bias voltage for sensitive detection of picosecond-level signal differences.

Main Results:

Achieved a temporal resolution of 1.9 picoseconds.
Enabled sensitive detection of tiny signal differences crucial for photon number resolution.
Demonstrated real-time photon number resolution capabilities.

Conclusions:

The developed optical sampling method significantly enhances SNSPD performance for PNRD applications.
This advancement transitions SNSPD-based PNRDs from theoretical potential to practical implementation.
Facilitated the generation and enhancement of non-classical quantum states through precise photon number resolution.