Prof. dr. Roman Sobolewski, 16.3.2018 at 13:00 in the Physics Seminar room
Nanostructured superconducting single-photon detectors as photon energy, number, and polarization resolving devices
Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Physics and Astronomy, and the Materials Science Program and Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Abstract:
We present an overview of the physics of operation of superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) and their implementation as the photon-energy, photon-number, and polarization resolving devices. The detection mechanism of SSPDs is based on photon-induced hotspot formation and, subsequent, generation of a voltage transient across a nanostructured superconducting NbN meander (~4-nm-thick and ~100-nm-wide stripe). The NbN SSPD operates in the 4.2-2 K temperature range. The best devices exhibit quantum efficiency of up to near 100% (when encapsulated in a cavity) in the near-infrared (1550 nm) wavelength range, dark count rates <1 Hz, and the noise-equivalent power (NEP) of ~510-21 W/Hz.1/2 For our photon-energy resolution studies, we have adopted a statistical method based on a well-documented fact that quantum efficiency (QE) of SSPDs very strongly (quasi-exponentially) depends on the photon wavelength and the normalized current bias. Thus, by measuring the SSPD QE at different bias levels, we were able to resolve the wavelength of the incident photons with a 50-nm resolution. In another approach, we have implemented a low-noise, cryogenic high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) as a very high impedance element to separate the 50-Ω output transmission line from the SSPD. This arrangement allowed us to achieve some amplitude resolution of the recorded output transients and, subsequently, photons with different energies could be distinguished by comparing the output transient amplitude distributions. Next, by designing SSPDs with different physical geometries, we could unambiguously demonstrate their sensitivity to photon polarization. At the end of our presentation, we will present new directions of the SSPD research, focusing on superconductor/ferromagnetic nanostripes.