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

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE

1.25-Gbit/s photon-counting optical communications using a two-element superconducting nanowire single photon detector

Eric A. Dauler, Bryan S. Robinson, Andrew J. Kerman, Vikas Anant, Richard J. Barron, Karl K. Berggren, David O. Caplan, John Carney, Scott A. Hamilton, Kristine M. Rosfjord, Mark L. Stevens, Joel K. W. Yang

Published Oct 18, 2006• 44 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The sensitivity of a high-rate photon-counting optical communications link depends on the performance of the photon counter used to detect the optical signal. In this paper, we focus on ways to reduce the effect of blocking, which is loss due to time periods in which the photon counter is inactive following a preceding detection event. This blocking loss can be reduced by using an array of photon counting detectors or by using photon counters with a shorter inactive period. Both of these techniques for reducing the blocking loss can be employed by using a multi-element superconducting nanowire single-photon detector. Two-element superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors are used to demonstrate error-free photon counting optical communication at data rates of 781 Mbit/s and 1.25 Gbit/s.

DOI
10.1117/12.690627

Related papers

Demonstration of gigabit-per-second and higher data rates at extremely high efficiency using superconducting nanowire single photon detectors

Bryan S. Robinson, Andrew J. Kerman, Eric A. Dauler +5 more

Superconducting nanowire single photon detectors have recently been demonstrated as viable candidates for photon-counting optical receivers operating at data rates in excess of 100 Mbit/s. In this paper, we discuss techniques for extending these data rates to rates > 1 Gbit/s. We report on a recent demonstration of a 2-element nanowire detector array operating at a source data rate of 1.25 Gbit/s. We also describe techniques for emulating larger arrays of detectors using a single detector. We use these techniques to demonstrate photon-counting receiver operation at data rates from 780-Mbit/s to 2.5 Gbit/s with sensitivities ranging from 1.1 to 7.1 incident photons per bit.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Sep 12, 2007•14 citations

781 Mbit/s photon-counting optical communications using a superconducting nanowire detector

Bryan S. Robinson, Andrew J. Kerman, Eric A. Dauler +7 more

We demonstrate 1550 nm photon-counting optical communications with a NbN-nanowire superconducting single-photon detector. Source data are encoded with a rate-1/2 forward-error correcting code and transmitted by use of 32-ary pulse-position modulation at 5 and 10 GHz slot rates. Error-free performance is obtained with -0.5 detected photon per source bit at a source data rate of 781 Mbits/s. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest reported data rate for a photon-counting receiver.

Optics Letters•Feb 15, 2006•183 citations

High-speed detection of 1550 nm single photons with superconducting nanowire detectors

Ioana Craiciu, Boris A. Korzh, Andrew D. Beyer +8 more

Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors are a key technology for quantum information and science due to their high efficiency, low timing jitter, and low dark counts. In this work, we present a detector for single 1550 nm photons with up to 78% detection efficiency, timing jitter below 50 ps FWHM, 158 counts/s dark count rate, as well as a maximum count rate of 1.5 giga-counts/s at 3 dB compression. The PEACOQ detector (Performance-Enhanced Array for Counting Optical Quanta) comprises a linear array of 32 straight superconducting niobium nitride nanowires that span the mode of an optical fiber. This design supports high count rates with minimal penalties for detection efficiency and timing jitter. We show how these trade-offs can be mitigated by implementing independent readout for each nanowire and by using a temporal walk correction technique to reduce count-rate dependent timing jitter. These detectors make quantum communication practical on a 10 GHz clock.

Optica•Dec 20, 2022•73 citations

High-speed detection of 1550 nm single photons with superconducting nanowire detectors

Ioana Craiciu, Boris A. Korzh, Andrew D. Beyer +8 more

Superconducting nanowire single photon detectors are a key technology for quantum information and science due to their high efficiency, low timing jitter, and low dark counts. In this work, we present a detector for single 1550 nm photons with up to 78% detection efficiency, timing jitter below 50 ps FWHM, 158 counts/s dark count rate - as well as a world-leading maximum count rate of 1.5 giga-counts/s at 3 dB compression. The PEACOQ detector (Performance-Enhanced Array for Counting Optical Quanta) comprises a linear array of 32 straight superconducting niobium nitride nanowires which span the mode of an optical fiber. This design supports high count rates with minimal penalties for detection efficiency and timing jitter. We show how these trade-offs can be mitigated by implementing independent read-out for each nanowire and by using a temporal walk correction technique to reduce count-rate dependent timing jitter. These detectors make quantum communication practical on a 10 GHz clock.

arXiv:2210.11644•Oct 21, 2022•2 citations

High-data-rate photon-counting optical communications using a NbN-nanowire superconducting detector

Bryan S. Robinson, Andrew J. Kerman, Eric A. Dauler +7 more

We demonstrate photon-counting communications using a NbN-nanowire superconducting detector. The fast response time of this detector enables error-free communications using pulse-position modulated data at 10-GHz slot rates and data rates >780 Mbit/s.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Jan 1, 2006•4 citations

Performance and characterization of a modular superconducting nanowire single photon detector system for space-to-Earth optical communications links

Brian E. Vyhnalek, Sarah A. Tedder, Jennifer M. Nappier

Space-to-ground photon-counting optical communication links supporting high data rates over large distances require enhanced ground receiver sensitivity in order to reduce the mass and power burden on the spacecraft transmitter. Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) have been demonstrated to offer superior performance in detection efficiency, timing resolution, and count rates over semiconductor photodetectors, and are a suitable technology for high photon efficiency links. Recently photon detectors based on superconducting nanowires have become commercially available, and we have assessed the characteristics and performance of one such commercial system as a candidate for potential utilization in ground receiver designs. The SNSPD system features independent channels which can be added modularly. We analyze the scalability of the system to support different data rates, as well as consider coupling concepts and issues as the number of channels increases.

Free-space laser communication technologies. Conference•Feb 15, 2018•11 citations
The sensitivity of a high-rate photon-counting optical communications link depends on the performance of the photon counter used to detect the optical signal. In this paper, we focus on ways to reduce the effect of blocking, which is loss due to time periods in which the photon counter is inactive following a preceding detection event. This blocking loss can be reduced by using an array of photon counting detectors or by using photon counters with a shorter inactive period. Both of these techniques for reducing the blocking loss can be employed by using a multi-element superconducting nanowire single-photon detector. Two-element superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors are used to demonstrate error-free photon counting optical communication at data rates of 781 Mbit/s and 1.25 Gbit/s.
Superconducting nanowire single photon detectors have recently been demonstrated as viable candidates for photon-counting optical receivers operating at data rates in excess of 100 Mbit/s. In this paper, we discuss techniques for extending these data rates to rates > 1 Gbit/s. We report on a recent demonstration of a 2-element nanowire detector array operating at a source data rate of 1.25 Gbit/s. We also describe techniques for emulating larger arrays of detectors using a single detector. We use these techniques to demonstrate photon-counting receiver operation at data rates from 780-Mbit/s to 2.5 Gbit/s with sensitivities ranging from 1.1 to 7.1 incident photons per bit.
Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors are a key technology for quantum information and science due to their high efficiency, low timing jitter, and low dark counts. In this work, we present a detector for single 1550 nm photons with up to 78% detection efficiency, timing jitter below 50 ps FWHM, 158 counts/s dark count rate, as well as a maximum count rate of 1.5 giga-counts/s at 3 dB compression. The PEACOQ detector (Performance-Enhanced Array for Counting Optical Quanta) comprises a linear array of 32 straight superconducting niobium nitride nanowires that span the mode of an optical fiber. This design supports high count rates with minimal penalties for detection efficiency and timing jitter. We show how these trade-offs can be mitigated by implementing independent readout for each nanowire and by using a temporal walk correction technique to reduce count-rate dependent timing jitter. These detectors make quantum communication practical on a 10 GHz clock.
Superconducting nanowire single photon detectors are a key technology for quantum information and science due to their high efficiency, low timing jitter, and low dark counts. In this work, we present a detector for single 1550 nm photons with up to 78% detection efficiency, timing jitter below 50 ps FWHM, 158 counts/s dark count rate - as well as a world-leading maximum count rate of 1.5 giga-counts/s at 3 dB compression. The PEACOQ detector (Performance-Enhanced Array for Counting Optical Quanta) comprises a linear array of 32 straight superconducting niobium nitride nanowires which span the mode of an optical fiber. This design supports high count rates with minimal penalties for detection efficiency and timing jitter. We show how these trade-offs can be mitigated by implementing independent read-out for each nanowire and by using a temporal walk correction technique to reduce count-rate dependent timing jitter. These detectors make quantum communication practical on a 10 GHz clock.
Space-to-ground photon-counting optical communication links supporting high data rates over large distances require enhanced ground receiver sensitivity in order to reduce the mass and power burden on the spacecraft transmitter. Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) have been demonstrated to offer superior performance in detection efficiency, timing resolution, and count rates over semiconductor photodetectors, and are a suitable technology for high photon efficiency links. Recently photon detectors based on superconducting nanowires have become commercially available, and we have assessed the characteristics and performance of one such commercial system as a candidate for potential utilization in ground receiver designs. The SNSPD system features independent channels which can be added modularly. We analyze the scalability of the system to support different data rates, as well as consider coupling concepts and issues as the number of channels increases.