Tailoring Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors for Quantum Technologies

Lucio Zugliani, Christian Schmid, Fabian Wietschorke, Björn Jonas, Simone Spedicato, Stefan Strohauer, Stefanie Grotowski, Rasmus Flaschmann, Manuel Müller, Matthias Althammer, Rudolf Gross, Jonathan Finley, Kai Müller

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) are a key building block for photonic quantum technologies, as they provide a means for efficient readout of optical circuits with low timing jitter, dark counts and dead time. In this contribution we give a general overview of the working principle of these devices and look into several engineering aspects. We discuss the influence of the stoichiometry of NbTiN thin-films on detector performance and find that a ratio of 65:35 Nb:Ti results in the highest saturation of SNSPDs fabricated from these films. Furthermore, we study the impact of helium ion irradiation on the efficiency of SNSPDs. We show that with this technique the efficiency of an SNSPD can be improved from below 1% to 42%. Finally, we discuss the impact of embedding the SNSPDs into an optical cavity on the system detection efficiency. By employing a half-cavity under the detector we are able to boost the efficiency from 30% to 50% for a detector with a fill factor of 0.33.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2023 IEEE Globecom Workshops, GC Wkshps 2023
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages1051-1056
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9798350370218
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023
Event2023 IEEE Globecom Workshops, GC Wkshps 2023 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Duration: 4 Dec 20238 Dec 2023

Publication series

Name2023 IEEE Globecom Workshops, GC Wkshps 2023

Conference

Conference2023 IEEE Globecom Workshops, GC Wkshps 2023
Country/TerritoryMalaysia
CityKuala Lumpur
Period4/12/238/12/23

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