Nanowire-based integrated photonics for quantum information and quantum sensing

At the core of quantum photonic information processing and sensing, two major building pillars are single-photon emitters and single-photon detectors. In this review, we systematically summarize the working theory, material platform, fabrication process, and game-changing applications enabled by state-of-the-art quantum dots in nanowire...

Nanosecond gating of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors using cryogenic bias circuitry

Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) show near unity efficiency, low dark count rate, and short recovery time. Combining these characteristics with temporal control of SNSPDs broadens their applications as in active de-latching for higher dynamic range counting or temporal filtering for pump-probe spectroscopy or LiDAR....

Ultra-high system detection efficiency superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors for quantum photonics and life sciences

Ultra-high system detection efficiency (SDE) s uperconducting nanowire single-photon detectors are demonstrated for a broad range of wavelengths, from UV to mid-infrared, opening novel possibilities in the fields of quantum photonics, neuroimaging and astronomy.

2022 Roadmap on integrated quantum photonics

Integrated photonics will play a key role in quantum systems as they grow from few-qubit prototypes to tens of thousands of qubits. The underlying optical quantum technologies can only be realized through the integration of these components onto quantum photonic integrated circuits (QPICs) with accompanying electronics. In the last decade,...

Efficient mid-infrared single-photon detection using superconducting NbTiN nanowires with high time resolution in a Gifford-McMahon cryocooler

Shortly after their inception, superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) became the leading quantum light detection technology. With the capability of detecting single-photons with near-unity efficiency, high time resolution, low dark count rate, and fast recovery time, SNSPDs outperform conventional single-photon detection...

Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors: A perspective on evolution, state-of-the-art, future developments, and applications

Two decades after their demonstration, superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) have become indispensable tools for quantum photonics as well as for many other photon-starved applications. This invention has not only led to a burgeoning academic field with a wide range of applications but also triggered industrial efforts....

Deterministic Integration of hBN Emitter in Silicon Nitride Photonic Waveguide

Hybrid integration provides an important avenue for incorporating atom-like solid-state single-photon emitters into photonic platforms that possess no optically-active transitions. Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is particularly interesting quantum emitter for hybrid integration, as it provides a route for room-temperature quantum photonic...

X-ray induced secondary particle counting with thin NbTiN nanowire superconducting detector

We characterized the performance of abiased superconducting nanowire to detect X-ray photons. The device, made of a 10 nm thin NbTiN film and fabricated on a dielectric substrate (SiO2, Nb3O5) detected 1000 times larger signal than anticipated from direct X-ray absorption. We attributed this effect to X-ray induced generation of secondary...

Proceedings of SPIE: Wavelength-resolved Purcell enhancement of PbS/CdS quantum dots measured on a chip-based platform

Future quantum optical networks will require an integrated solution to multiplex suitable sources and detectors on a low-loss platform. Here we combined superconducting single-photon detectors with colloidal PbS/CdS quantum dots (QDs) and low-loss silicon nitride passive photonic components to show their combined operation at cryogenic...

Dispersion engineering of superconducting waveguides for multi-pixel integration of single-photon detectors

We use dispersion engineering to control the signal propagation speed in the feed lines of superconducting single-photon detectors. Using this technique, we demonstrate time-division-multiplexing of two-pixel detectors connected with a slow-RF transmission line, all realized using planar geometry requiring a single lithographic step. Through...

Efficient Single-Photon Detection with 7.7 ps Time Resolution for Photon-Correlation Measurements

A broad range of scientific and industrial disciplines require precise optical measurements at very low light levels. Single-photon detectors combining high efficiency and high time resolution are pivotal in such experiments. By using relatively thick films of NbTiN (8-11 nm) and improving the pattern fidelity of the nanostructure of the...

Multimode-fiber-coupled superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors with high detection efficiency and time resolution

In the past decade, superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) have gradually become an indispensable part of any demanding quantum optics experiment. Until now, most SNSPDs have been coupled to single-mode fibers. SNSPDs coupled to multimode fibers have shown promising efficiencies but have yet to achieve high time resolution....

Optimizing the stoichiometry of ultrathin NbTiN films for high-performance superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors

The requirements in quantum optics experiments for high single-photon detection efficiency, low timing jitter, low dark count rate and short dead time have been fulfilled with the development of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors. Although they offer a detection efficiency above 90%, achieving a high time resolution in devices...

Superconducting nanowire single photon detectors operating at temperature from 4 to 7 K

We experimentally investigate the performance of NbTiN superconducting nanowire single photon detectors above the base temperature of a conventional Gifford-McMahon cryocooler (2.5 K). By tailoring design and thickness (8 - 13 nm) of the detectors, high performance, high operating temperature, single-photon detection from the visible to...

Thermo-Optic Characterization of Silicon Nitride Resonators for Cryogenic Photonic Circuits

In this paper, we characterize the Thermo-optic properties of silicon nitride ring resonators between 18 and 300 K. The Thermo-optic coefficients of the silicon nitride core and the oxide cladding are measured by studying the temperature dependence of the resonance wavelengths. The resonant modes show low temperature dependence at cryogenic...