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arXiv:0805.2397 · Journal of Modern Optics

Photon-number-resolution with sub-30-ps timing using multi-element superconducting nanowire single photon detectors

Eric A. Dauler, Andrew J. Kerman, Bryan S. Robinson, Joel K. W. Yang, Boris Voronov, Gregory Goltsman, Scott A. Hamilton, Karl K. Berggren

Published Jan 15, 2009• 139 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

A photon-number-resolving detector based on a four-element superconducting nanowire single photon detector is demonstrated to have sub-30-ps resolution in measuring the arrival time of individual photons. This detector can be used to characterise the photon statistics of non-pulsed light sources and to mitigate dead-time effects in high-speed photon counting applications. Furthermore, a 25% system detection efficiency at 1550 nm was demonstrated, making the detector useful for both low-flux source characterization and high-speed photon counting and quantum communication applications. The design, fabrication, and testing of this detector are described, and a comparison between the measured and the theoretical performance is presented.

DOI
10.1080/09500340802411989

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