Superconducting nanowire single-photon detector on dielectric optical films for visible and near infrared wavelengths. (6th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: You, Lixing; Li, Hao; Zhang, Weijun; Yang, Xiaoyan; Zhang, Lu; Chen, Sijing; Zhou, Hui; Wang, Zhen; Xie, Xiaoming
• Is Part Of: Superconductor science & technology. Volume 30:Number 8(2017:Aug.)
• Publication Date: 2017-07-06
• Subjects: superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors -- detection efficiency -- optical absorption; Superconductivity -- Periodicals; Superconductors -- Periodicals; 537.623
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6668/aa7495
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-2048

Abstract

Abstract: The detection efficiency (DE) of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) at 1550 nm has been significantly improved in the past decades as a result of evolution of the optical structure, the materials, and the fabrication process. We discuss the general optical design for a high-efficiency SNSPD based on dielectric optical films that can detect wavelengths from visible to near infrared regions. This structure shows close-to-unity absorption and good insensitivity to the fine wavelength and the incident angle. We demonstrate an SNSPD specifically fabricated for the detection of 1064 nm wavelength with a maximal system DE of 87.4% ± 3.7%. The DEs of the SNSPDs for visible and near infrared wavelengths are also summarized and compared with those of semiconducting detectors.