A 12×10 pixels superconducting tunnel junction array based spectro-photometer for optical astronomy

Martin, D.; Verhoeve, P.; Peacock, A.; Dordrecht, A. van; Verveer, J.; Hijmering, R. A.

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2003.11.301

Cited by 21 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…The dead time of STJ is about 10 µs. A matrix of 120 STJ pixel arrays has been successfully achieved by the European Space Agency (ESA-ESTEC lab) and application to astronomy is in progress [16]. Proper STJ process improvements have been also realized in the recent years [22,23] leading to better detector sensitivity in the infrared and visible wavelengths.…”

Section: Superconducting Tunnel Junction ('Stj')mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…18 ps >10 9 1 0.2 at 1.26 µm STJ (T = 0.2 K) [11,16] 0.5 at 200-500 nm ≈0 <2 ns 5 × 10 4 10 TES (T = 0.1 K) [17] 0.2 at 200-1800 nm 10 Long-distance quantum key distribution or quantum teleportation make use of low loss optical fibre at a the telecom wavelength of 1.55 µm. At this wavelength, photon counting is currently performed by avalanche photodiodes that are far from ideal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fabrication of a superconducting niobium nitride hot electron bolometer for single-photon counting

et al. 2004

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Abstract. Superconducting photodetectors offer an interesting alternative to traditional photon counting systems such as photomultiplier tubes and avalanche photodiodes for applications in optical quantum information processing. In these superconducting devices, different mechanisms are exploited to detect the photon absorption, depending on the type of detector (transition edge sensor, superconducting tunnel junction and hot electron bolometer (HEB)). The first two are briefly presented; more emphasis is given on HEB elaboration made with very thin superconducting NbN films due to their unique capability of fast single-photon detection. Constraints on NbN HEB elaboration and on electronic transport properties are presented in the perspective of further improvement of the quantum efficiency in the near-infrared.

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Section: Superconducting Tunnel Junction ('Stj')mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fabrication of a superconducting niobium nitride hot electron bolometer for single-photon counting

et al. 2004

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“…Within the S-Cam project three prototype cameras have already successfully been used on telescopes such as the William Herschel Telescope (WHT) on La Palma and the Optical Ground Station (OGS) on Tenerife (Martin et al 2004). S-Cam 1 (Verhoeve et al 2002) and 2 (Rando et al 2000) were based on a 6 × 6 pixel array (25 × 25µm 2 pixels) with a wavelength resolving power of 6.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First results of a cryogenic optical photon-counting imaging spectrometer using a DROID array

Hijmering¹,

Verhoeve²,

Martin³

et al. 2010

A&A

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Context. We present the first system test in which we demonstrate the concept of using an array of Distributed Read Out Imaging Devices (DROIDs) for optical photon detection. Aims. After the successful S-Cam 3 detector, the next step in the development of a cryogenic optical photon counting imaging spectrometer under the S-Cam project is to increase the field of view using DROIDs. With this modification the field of view of the camera has been increased by a factor of five in a given area while keeping the number of readout channels the same. Methods. The test has been performed using the flexible S-Cam 3 system and exchanging the 10 × 12 Superconducting Tunnel Junction array for a 3 × 20 DROID array. The extra data reduction needed with DROIDs is performed offline. Results. We show that, although the responsivity (number of tunnelled quasiparticles per unit of absorbed photon energy, e − /eV) of the current array is too low for direct astronomical applications, the imaging quality is already good enough for pattern detection and will improve further with increasing responsivity. Conclusions. The obtained knowledge can be used to optimise the system for the use of DROIDs.

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“…for astronomical observations. 3,4 In addition to their direct spectroscopic response and high speed ( < ∼ 10 5 counts/s), they can be operated with essentially no dark count rate, which is another enormous advantage compared to CCD imaging systems, making them the favored choice for detection of faint objects. However, to satisfy the desire for detectors with imaging capabilities as offered by CCD cameras, a competitive STJ based multipixel camera inevitably faces the complexity of large channel-number readout, i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Imaging of single infrared, optical, and ultraviolet photons using distributed tunnel junction readout on superconducting absorbers

Furlan

Kirk

Zehnder

2007

Journal of Applied Physics

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Single-photon imaging spectrometers of high quantum efficiency in the infrared to ultraviolet wavelength range, with good timing resolution and with a vanishing dark count rate are on top of the wish list in earth-bound astronomy, material and medical sciences, or quantum information technologies. We review and present improved operation of a cryogenic detector system potentially offering all these qualities. It is based on a superconducting absorber strip read out with superconducting tunnel junctions. The detector performance is discussed in terms of responsivity, noise properties, energy and position resolution. Dynamic processes involved in the signal creation and detection are investigated for a basic understanding of the physics, and for possible application-specific modifications of device characteristics.

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A 12×10 pixels superconducting tunnel junction array based spectro-photometer for optical astronomy

Cited by 21 publications

References 4 publications

Fabrication of a superconducting niobium nitride hot electron bolometer for single-photon counting

Fabrication of a superconducting niobium nitride hot electron bolometer for single-photon counting

First results of a cryogenic optical photon-counting imaging spectrometer using a DROID array

Imaging of single infrared, optical, and ultraviolet photons using distributed tunnel junction readout on superconducting absorbers

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