Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors
A perspective on evolution, state-of-the-art, future developments, and applications
Iman E. Esmaeil Zadeh (TU Delft - ImPhys/Optics)
J. Chang (TU Delft - ImPhys/Optics)
J. W.N. Los (Single Quantum)
Samuel Gyger (KTH Royal Institute of Technology)
Ali W. Elshaari (KTH Royal Institute of Technology)
Stephan Steinhauer (KTH Royal Institute of Technology)
Sander Dorenbos (Single Quantum)
Val Zwiller (KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Single Quantum)
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Abstract
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. Current state-of-the-art SNSPDs combine near-unity detection efficiency over a wide spectral range, low dark counts, short dead times, and picosecond time resolution. The present perspective discusses important milestones and progress of SNSPDs research, emerging applications, and future challenges and gives an outlook on technological developments required to bring SNSPDs to the next level: a photon-counting, fast time-tagging imaging, and multi-pixel technology that is also compatible with quantum photonic integrated circuits.
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