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

European Conference on Optical Communication

Detecting Single Photons Using Superconducting Nanowires

Andrea Fiore, S. Jahanmiri Nejad, Dondu Sahin, G. Frucci, J. P. Sprengers, Alessandro Gaggero, F. Mattioli, Roberto Leoni, Johannes Beetz, M. Lermer, Martin Kamp, Sven Höfling

Published Jan 1, 2012• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Superconducting nanowires can be used to detect single photons with very high sensitivity and speed in the near-infrared. We present recent results on single-photon detectors integrated with microcavities and waveguides for increased efficiency, and photon-number-resolving detectors based on arrays of nanowires.
DOI
10.1364/eceoc.2012.mo.2.e.5

Related papers

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

Waveguide-Integrated Superconducting Nanowire Arrays for Single Photon Detection with Number-Resolution

Jonas Schütte, Martin A. Wolff, Matthias Häußler +3 more

We fabricated and characterized waveguide-integrated photon number resolving superconducting nanowire single photon detectors with up to 16 detector elements obtaining a high timing resolution of 10.4 ps.

•Jan 1, 2023•0 citations

New Generation of Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors

Gregory N Gol'tsman

We present an overview of recent results for new generation of infrared and optical superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) that has already demonstrated a performance that makes them devices-of-choice for many applications. SNSPDs provide high efficiency for detecting individual photons while keeping dark counts and timing jitter minimal. Besides superior detection performance over a broad optical bandwidth, SNSPDs are also compatible with an integrated optical platform as a crucial requirement for applications in emerging quantum photonic technologies. By embedding SNSPDs in nanophotonic circuits we realize waveguide integrated single photon detectors which unite all desirable detector properties in a single device.

EPJ Web of Conferences•Jan 1, 2015•0 citations

Waveguide integrated superconducting single-photon detectors

Simone Ferrari, Andreas Vetter, Patrik Rath +1 more

Near-field coupling to nanophotonic waveguides enables absorption engineering of superconducting nanowires for efficient single photon detection on chip. The direct compatibility with photonic circuitry allows for using such devices in the framework of integrated optics and thus for exploiting the rich toolbox of nanophotonics for device characterization and optimization. We integrate superconducting single photon detectors with photonic circuitry made from different transparent materials. Both single and multi-photon capability can be achieved through variation of the nanowire width, as well as ultra-fast single photon counting with high detection rates by reducing the nanowire length.

International Conference on Transparent Optical Networks•Jul 1, 2016•0 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

Waveguide-integrated single-photon detectors with high system detection efficiency and photon number resolution

Martin A. Wolff, Fabian Beutelv, Jonas Schütte +4 more

We present waveguide-integrated superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors with high system detection efficiency over extremely broad bandwidth. Exploiting photonic integrated circuit functionalities, we further enable photon number resolution capabilities of up to eight photons.

Frontiers in Optics•Jan 1, 2021•0 citations
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 an overview of recent results for new generation of infrared and optical superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) that has already demonstrated a performance that makes them devices-of-choice for many applications. SNSPDs provide high efficiency for detecting individual photons while keeping dark counts and timing jitter minimal. Besides superior detection performance over a broad optical bandwidth, SNSPDs are also compatible with an integrated optical platform as a crucial requirement for applications in emerging quantum photonic technologies. By embedding SNSPDs in nanophotonic circuits we realize waveguide integrated single photon detectors which unite all desirable detector properties in a single device.
Near-field coupling to nanophotonic waveguides enables absorption engineering of superconducting nanowires for efficient single photon detection on chip. The direct compatibility with photonic circuitry allows for using such devices in the framework of integrated optics and thus for exploiting the rich toolbox of nanophotonics for device characterization and optimization. We integrate superconducting single photon detectors with photonic circuitry made from different transparent materials. Both single and multi-photon capability can be achieved through variation of the nanowire width, as well as ultra-fast single photon counting with high detection rates by reducing the nanowire length.