A four-pixel single-photon pulse-position array fabricated from WSi superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors

Abstract

We demonstrate a scalable readout scheme for an infrared single-photon pulse-position camera consisting of WSi superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs). For an N × N array, only 2 × N wires are required to obtain the position of a detection event. As a proof-ofprinciple, we show results from a 2 × 2 array.

Inhomogeneous critical current in nanowire superconducting single-photon detectors

“…Indeed, realizing arrays of SSPDs with the same performance is challenging. Understanding and solving this issue could enable free-space single-photon imaging, 14 spatial and photon-number resolution, [15][16][17] as well as circumventing dead time limitations in interplanetary optical communication. 18 The physical reason for the poor reproducibility must be sought in the SSPD operating principle: for efficient operation, NbN SSPDs must be biased with a bias current (I b ) slightly lower than the critical current (I c ).…”

Scalable single-photon detection on a photonic chip

“…Since the detector fabrication was performed on a separate chip, our integration approach was independent of the PIC material and complexity. Combined with electrical multiplexing schemes [11,12], this approach enables the integration of large numbers of detectors on a photonic chip without complicating the PIC fabrication. Eventually, with progress in scalable integration of on-chip quantum sources [13], PIC chips could become a fully-integrated compact platform for the generation, manipulation and detection of quantum states.…”

Scalable cryogenic readout circuit for a superconducting nanowire single-photon detector system

“…4 A superconducting nanowire photon detector was first realized in 2001 by Gol'tsman and colleagues at the University of Moscow. 5 They were able to detect optical photons with a 225-nm-wide, 1-µm-long niobium nitride (NbN) wire cooled to 4.2 K. Since the initial demonstration of an SNSPD, several groups have advanced this technology to improve optical coupling, 6 increase detection efficiency, 7,8 investigate alternate superconducting materials, [9][10][11] and develop complex detector structures including pixel arrays [12][13][14] and parallel elements. 15,16 These advancements and recent demonstrations of high detection efficiency, 17 high maximum count rate, 18 and good timing resolution 19 have enabled SNSPDs to be a leading commercial technology 20 for quantum optics experiments.…”