Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1504.02812 · Applied Physics Letters

A near-infrared 64-pixel superconducting nanowire single photon detector array with integrated multiplexed readout

Michael S. Allman, Varun Boehm Verma, Martin J. Stevens, Thomas Gerrits, Robert D. Horansky, Adriana E. Lita, Francesco Marsili, Andrew D. Beyer, Matthew D. Shaw, Daniel R. Kumor, Richard P. Mirin, Sae Woo Nam

Published May 11, 2015• 140 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We demonstrate a 64-pixel free-space-coupled array of superconducting nanowire single photon detectors optimized for high detection efficiency in the near-infrared range. An integrated, readily scalable, multiplexed readout scheme is employed to reduce the number of readout lines to 16. The cryogenic, optical, and electronic packaging to read out the array as well as characterization measurements are discussed.

DOI
10.1063/1.4921318

Related papers

A near-infrared 64-pixel superconducting nanowire single photon detector array with integrated multiplexed readout

Michael S. Allman, Varun Boehm Verma, Martin J. Stevens +9 more

We demonstrate a 64-pixel free-space-coupled array of superconducting nanowire single photon detectors optimized for high detection efficiency in the near-infrared range. An integrated, readily scalable, multiplexed readout scheme is employed to reduce the number of readout lines to 16. The cryogenic, optical, and electronic packaging to read out the array, as well as characterization measurements are discussed.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•May 6, 2015•5 citations

Recent advances in superconducting nanowire single photon detectors for single-photon imaging

Varun Boehm Verma, Michael S. Allman, Martin J. Stevens +9 more

We demonstrate a 64-pixel free-space-coupled array of superconducting nanowire single photon detectors optimized for high detection efficiency in the near-infrared range. An integrated, readily scalable, multiplexed readout scheme is employed to reduce the number of readout lines to 16. The cryogenic, optical, and electronic packaging to read out the array, as well as characterization measurements are discussed.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•May 5, 2016•0 citations

Frequency-multiplexed bias and readout of a 16-pixel superconducting nanowire single-photon detector array

S. Doerner, A. Kuzmin, S. Wünsch +4 more

We demonstrate a 16-pixel array of microwave-current driven superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors with an integrated and scalable frequency-division multiplexing architecture, which reduces the required number of bias and readout lines to a single microwave feed line. The electrical behavior of the photon-sensitive nanowires, embedded in a resonant circuit, as well as the optical performance and timing jitter of the single detectors is discussed. Besides the single pixel measurements, we also demonstrate the operation of a 16-pixel array with a temporal, spatial, and photon-number resolution.

arXiv:1705.05345•Applied Physics Letters•Jul 17, 2017•88 citations

Progress on large-scale superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors

Stephan Steinhauer, Samuel Gyger, Val Zwiller

Superconducting nanowires have emerged as a powerful tool for detecting single photons in the visible and near-infrared range with excellent device performance metrics. We outline challenges and future directions related to the up-scaling of nanowire devices and detector systems toward widespread applications in demanding real-world settings. Progress on achieving superconducting single-photon detectors with a large active area and an increasing number of pixels is reviewed, comparing the recent literature in terms of the reported key detector parameters. Furthermore, we summarize currently available readout and multiplexing schemes for multi-pixel detector arrays and discuss implications of the recently discovered microwire-based detector geometries.

Applied Physics Letters•Mar 8, 2021•75 citations

Enhancing spectral sensitivity and scalability of superconducting nanowire photon detectors: mid-infrared characterization and near-infrared integration

Adan Azem, D. Morozov, Daniel Kuznesof +6 more

We present enhancements in the spectral sensitivity and scalability of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors based on U-shaped NbTiN nanowires. Designed on a silicon-on-insulator photonic platform, our detectors exhibit near-unity internal detection efficiency under flood illumination across wavelengths from 1550nm to 3502nm. Additionally, we demonstrate arrays of waveguide-integrated superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors optimized for operation at 1550nm. Cryogenic light coupling to the arrays is achieved through a photonic wire bonding technique, enabling low-loss coupling and high-density integration, thereby facilitating the scaling of detector counts per cryostat for near-infrared applications.

•May 30, 2025•0 citations

Scalable Approach For Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detector Multi‐Pixel Arrays Using Electrical Multiplexing

Sandra Mennle, Philipp Karl, Harald W. Giessen

ABSTRACT Highly sensitive detectors have become an indispensable part of today's research with applications in spectroscopy, data transmission, and quantum technologies. Featuring high efficiency superconducting nanowire single photon detector are state‐of‐the‐art for today's challenges. However, many applications such as biomedical and astronomical imaging, beam profiling, and spatially resolved photon statistics do not only require an individual highly sensitive photon detector, but rather an entire array of multiple detectors. This paper presents a novel approach for a 2D multi‐pixel array, consisting of electrically multiplexed superconducting nanowire single photon detectors. The scalable design features a 4‐layer fabrication scheme with optimized Chromium series resistors for best dynamic range. The presented approach hereby drastically reduces the number of required contacts from the standard contacts for detectors to only contacts. Our simulations confirm the working principle and prove the scalability up to kilo‐pixel arrays.

Advanced Quantum Technologies•Jul 1, 2026•1 citation
We demonstrate a 64-pixel free-space-coupled array of superconducting nanowire single photon detectors optimized for high detection efficiency in the near-infrared range. An integrated, readily scalable, multiplexed readout scheme is employed to reduce the number of readout lines to 16. The cryogenic, optical, and electronic packaging to read out the array as well as characterization measurements are discussed.
We demonstrate a 16-pixel array of microwave-current driven superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors with an integrated and scalable frequency-division multiplexing architecture, which reduces the required number of bias and readout lines to a single microwave feed line. The electrical behavior of the photon-sensitive nanowires, embedded in a resonant circuit, as well as the optical performance and timing jitter of the single detectors is discussed. Besides the single pixel measurements, we also demonstrate the operation of a 16-pixel array with a temporal, spatial, and photon-number resolution.
Superconducting nanowires have emerged as a powerful tool for detecting single photons in the visible and near-infrared range with excellent device performance metrics. We outline challenges and future directions related to the up-scaling of nanowire devices and detector systems toward widespread applications in demanding real-world settings. Progress on achieving superconducting single-photon detectors with a large active area and an increasing number of pixels is reviewed, comparing the recent literature in terms of the reported key detector parameters. Furthermore, we summarize currently available readout and multiplexing schemes for multi-pixel detector arrays and discuss implications of the recently discovered microwire-based detector geometries.
We present enhancements in the spectral sensitivity and scalability of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors based on U-shaped NbTiN nanowires. Designed on a silicon-on-insulator photonic platform, our detectors exhibit near-unity internal detection efficiency under flood illumination across wavelengths from 1550nm to 3502nm. Additionally, we demonstrate arrays of waveguide-integrated superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors optimized for operation at 1550nm. Cryogenic light coupling to the arrays is achieved through a photonic wire bonding technique, enabling low-loss coupling and high-density integration, thereby facilitating the scaling of detector counts per cryostat for near-infrared applications.
ABSTRACT Highly sensitive detectors have become an indispensable part of today's research with applications in spectroscopy, data transmission, and quantum technologies. Featuring high efficiency superconducting nanowire single photon detector are state‐of‐the‐art for today's challenges. However, many applications such as biomedical and astronomical imaging, beam profiling, and spatially resolved photon statistics do not only require an individual highly sensitive photon detector, but rather an entire array of multiple detectors. This paper presents a novel approach for a 2D multi‐pixel array, consisting of electrically multiplexed superconducting nanowire single photon detectors. The scalable design features a 4‐layer fabrication scheme with optimized Chromium series resistors for best dynamic range. The presented approach hereby drastically reduces the number of required contacts from the standard contacts for detectors to only contacts. Our simulations confirm the working principle and prove the scalability up to kilo‐pixel arrays.