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

International Kharkiv Symposium on Physics and Engineering of Microwaves, Millimeter and Submillimeter Waves

An ultra-low-power multi-octave deep-cooled amplifier for superconducting single-photon detectors

A. M. Korolev, Valery M. Shulga, Oleg G. Turutanov

Published Jun 1, 2016• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A design of low-noise wide band (0.05...1 GHz) cooled videoamplifier for prospective terahertz-range single-photon superconducting nanowire detectors is reported. The amplifier differs from existing prototypes by reduced consumption power (4mW) and ability of direct integration with the primary superconducting transducer to prevent false triggering caused by reflected waves in the detector-amplifier transmission line. The absolute stability, low noise factor and back action make the amplifier suitable also for other radio astronomy and physical applications.

DOI
10.1109/msmw.2016.7538034

Related papers

A Wideband, Low-Noise Superconducting Amplifier with High Dynamic Range

Byeong Ho Eom, Peter K. Day, Henry George LeDuc +1 more

Amplifiers are ubiquitous in electronics and play a fundamental role in a wide range of scientific measurements. From a user's perspective, an ideal amplifier has very low noise, operates over a broad frequency range, and has a high dynamic range - it is capable of handling strong signals with little distortion. Unfortunately, it is difficult to obtain all of these characteristics simultaneously. For example, modern transistor amplifiers offer multi-octave bandwidths and excellent dynamic range. However, their noise remains far above the fundamental limit set by the uncertainty principle of quantum mechanics. Parametric amplifiers, which predate transistor amplifiers and are widely used in optics, exploit a nonlinear response to transfer power from a strong pump tone to a weak signal. If the nonlinearity is purely reactive, ie. nondissipative, in theory the amplifier noise can reach the quantum-mechanical limit. Indeed, microwave frequency superconducting Josephson parametric amplifiers do approach the quantum limit, but generally are narrow band and have very limited dynamic range. In this paper, we describe a superconducting parametric amplifier that overcomes these limitations. The amplifier is very simple, consisting only of a patterned metal film on a dielectric substrate, and relies on the nonlinear kinetic inductance of a superconducting transmission line. We measure gain extending over 2 GHz on either side of an 11.56 GHz pump tone, and we place an upper limit on the added noise of the amplifier of 3.4 photons at 9.4 GHz. Furthermore, the dynamic range is very large, comparable to microwave transistor amplifiers, and the concept can be applied throughout the microwave, millimeter-wave and submillimeter-wave bands.

arXiv:1201.2392•Jan 1, 2012•0 citations

Waveguide integrated low noise NbTiN nanowire single-photon detectors with milli-Hz dark count rate

Carsten Schuck, Wolfram H. P. Pernice, Hong X. Tang

Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors are an ideal match for integrated quantum photonic circuits due to their high detection efficiency for telecom wavelength photons. Quantum optical technology also requires single-photon detection with low dark count rate and high timing accuracy. Here we present very low noise superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors based on NbTiN thin films patterned directly on top of Si3N4 waveguides. We systematically investigate a large variety of detector designs and characterize their detection noise performance. Milli-Hz dark count rates are demonstrated over the entire operating range of the nanowire detectors which also feature low timing jitter. The ultra-low dark count rate, in combination with the high detection efficiency inherent to our travelling wave detector geometry, gives rise to a measured noise equivalent power at the 10(-20) W/Hz(1/2) level.

arXiv:1306.0164•Scientific Reports•May 29, 2013•148 citations

Single-Photon Detectors Based on Ultranarrow Superconducting Nanowires

Francesco Marsili, Faraz Najafi, Eric A. Dauler +5 more

We report efficient single-photon detection (η = 20% at 1550 nm wavelength) with ultranarrow (20 and 30 nm wide) superconducting nanowires, which were shown to be more robust to constrictions and more responsive to 1550 nm wavelength photons than standard superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors, based on 90 nm wide nanowires. We also improved our understanding of the physics of superconducting nanowire avalanche photodetectors, which we used to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of ultranarrow-nanowire detectors by a factor of 4, thus relaxing the requirements on the read-out circuitry and making the devices suitable for a broader range of applications.

arXiv:1012.4149•Nano Letters•Apr 1, 2011•194 citations

Cryogenic Amplifiers for a Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detector System

Clinton Cahall, Daniel J. Gauthier, Jungsang Kim

We study an electrical readout scheme for superconducting nanowire single photon detectors using commercial off-the-shelf amplifiers operating at cryogenic temperatures. Low power consumption and improved noise performance enable multichannel readout circuit solution with high timing resolution.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Jan 1, 2016•3 citations

Low noise superconducting single photon detectors on silicon

Sander N. Dorenbos, Elisabeth Reiger, Umberto Perinetti +3 more

We have fabricated superconducting nanowire single photon detectors made of NbTiN on a silicon substrate. This type of material reduces the dark count rate by a factor of 10 compared to identical NbN detectors, enabling single photon detection with unprecedented signal to noise ratio: we report a noise equivalent power of 10−19 W Hz−1/2 at 4.2 K. The compatibility of our superconducting device with silicon enables its integration with complex structures.

Applied Physics Letters•Sep 29, 2008•141 citations

Design of deeply cooled ultra-low dissipation amplifier and measuring cell for quantum measurements with a microwave single-photon counter

Oleg G. Turutanov, A. M. Korolev, V. I. Shnyrkov +6 more

The requirements and details of designing a measuring cell and low-back-action deeply-cooled amplifier for quantum measurements at 10 mK are discussed. This equipment is a part of a microwave single-photon counter based on a superconducting flux qubit. The high-electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) in the amplifier operate in unsaturated microcurrent regime and dissipate only 1 μW of dc power per transistor. Simulated amplifier gain is 15 dB at 450 MHz with a high-impedance (≈ 5 kΩ) signal source and standard 50-Ω output.

arXiv:2309.14559•Low Temperature Physics•Jan 1, 2024•2 citations
A design of low-noise wide band (0.05...1 GHz) cooled videoamplifier for prospective terahertz-range single-photon superconducting nanowire detectors is reported. The amplifier differs from existing prototypes by reduced consumption power (4mW) and ability of direct integration with the primary superconducting transducer to prevent false triggering caused by reflected waves in the detector-amplifier transmission line. The absolute stability, low noise factor and back action make the amplifier suitable also for other radio astronomy and physical applications.
Amplifiers are ubiquitous in electronics and play a fundamental role in a wide range of scientific measurements. From a user's perspective, an ideal amplifier has very low noise, operates over a broad frequency range, and has a high dynamic range - it is capable of handling strong signals with little distortion. Unfortunately, it is difficult to obtain all of these characteristics simultaneously. For example, modern transistor amplifiers offer multi-octave bandwidths and excellent dynamic range. However, their noise remains far above the fundamental limit set by the uncertainty principle of quantum mechanics. Parametric amplifiers, which predate transistor amplifiers and are widely used in optics, exploit a nonlinear response to transfer power from a strong pump tone to a weak signal. If the nonlinearity is purely reactive, ie. nondissipative, in theory the amplifier noise can reach the quantum-mechanical limit. Indeed, microwave frequency superconducting Josephson parametric amplifiers do approach the quantum limit, but generally are narrow band and have very limited dynamic range. In this paper, we describe a superconducting parametric amplifier that overcomes these limitations. The amplifier is very simple, consisting only of a patterned metal film on a dielectric substrate, and relies on the nonlinear kinetic inductance of a superconducting transmission line. We measure gain extending over 2 GHz on either side of an 11.56 GHz pump tone, and we place an upper limit on the added noise of the amplifier of 3.4 photons at 9.4 GHz. Furthermore, the dynamic range is very large, comparable to microwave transistor amplifiers, and the concept can be applied throughout the microwave, millimeter-wave and submillimeter-wave bands.
Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors are an ideal match for integrated quantum photonic circuits due to their high detection efficiency for telecom wavelength photons. Quantum optical technology also requires single-photon detection with low dark count rate and high timing accuracy. Here we present very low noise superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors based on NbTiN thin films patterned directly on top of Si3N4 waveguides. We systematically investigate a large variety of detector designs and characterize their detection noise performance. Milli-Hz dark count rates are demonstrated over the entire operating range of the nanowire detectors which also feature low timing jitter. The ultra-low dark count rate, in combination with the high detection efficiency inherent to our travelling wave detector geometry, gives rise to a measured noise equivalent power at the 10(-20) W/Hz(1/2) level.
We report efficient single-photon detection (η = 20% at 1550 nm wavelength) with ultranarrow (20 and 30 nm wide) superconducting nanowires, which were shown to be more robust to constrictions and more responsive to 1550 nm wavelength photons than standard superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors, based on 90 nm wide nanowires. We also improved our understanding of the physics of superconducting nanowire avalanche photodetectors, which we used to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of ultranarrow-nanowire detectors by a factor of 4, thus relaxing the requirements on the read-out circuitry and making the devices suitable for a broader range of applications.
The requirements and details of designing a measuring cell and low-back-action deeply-cooled amplifier for quantum measurements at 10 mK are discussed. This equipment is a part of a microwave single-photon counter based on a superconducting flux qubit. The high-electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) in the amplifier operate in unsaturated microcurrent regime and dissipate only 1 μW of dc power per transistor. Simulated amplifier gain is 15 dB at 450 MHz with a high-impedance (≈ 5 kΩ) signal source and standard 50-Ω output.