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Light Science & Applications

A compact multi-pixel superconducting nanowire single-photon detector array supporting gigabit space-to-ground communications

Hao Hao, Qingyuan Zhao, Yang‐Hui Huang, Jie Deng, Fan Yang, Sai‐Ying Ru, Zhen Liu, Chao Wan, Hao Liu, Zhijian Li, Huabing Wang, Xuecou Tu, Labao Zhang, Xiaoqing Jia, Xinglong Wu, Jian Chen, Lin Kang, Peiheng Wu

Published Jan 22, 2024• 85 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Classical and quantum space-to-ground communications necessitate highly sensitive receivers capable of extracting information from modulated photons to extend the communication distance from near-earth orbits to deep space explorations. To achieve gigabit data rates while mitigating strong background noise photons and beam drift in a highly attenuated free-space channel, a comprehensive design of a multi-functional detector is indispensable. In this study, we present an innovative compact multi-pixel superconducting nanowire single-photon detector array that integrates near-unity detection efficiency (91.6%), high photon counting rate (1.61 Gcps), large dynamic range for resolving different photon numbers (1-24), and four-quadrant position sensing function all within one device. Furthermore, we have constructed a communication testbed to validate the advantages offered by such an architecture. Through 8-PPM (pulse position modulation) format communication experiments, we have achieved an impressive maximum data rate of 1.5 Gbps, demonstrating sensitivities surpassing previous benchmarks at respective speeds. By incorporating photon number information into error correction codes, the receiver can tolerate maximum background noise levels equivalent to 0.8 photons/slot at a data rate of 120 Mbps-showcasing a great potential for daylight operation scenarios. Additionally, preliminary beam tracking tests were conducted through open-loop scanning techniques, which revealed clear quantitative dependence indicating sensitivity variations based on beam location. Based on the device characterizations and communication results, we anticipate that this device architecture, along with its corresponding signal processing and coding techniques, will be applicable in future space-to-ground communication tasks.

DOI
10.1038/s41377-023-01374-1

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Classical and quantum space-to-ground communications necessitate highly sensitive receivers capable of extracting information from modulated photons to extend the communication distance from near-earth orbits to deep space explorations. To achieve gigabit data rates while mitigating strong background noise photons and beam drift in a highly attenuated free-space channel, a comprehensive design of a multi-functional detector is indispensable. In this study, we present an innovative compact multi-pixel superconducting nanowire single-photon detector array that integrates near-unity detection efficiency (91.6%), high photon counting rate (1.61 Gcps), large dynamic range for resolving different photon numbers (1-24), and four-quadrant position sensing function all within one device. Furthermore, we have constructed a communication testbed to validate the advantages offered by such an architecture. Through 8-PPM (pulse position modulation) format communication experiments, we have achieved an impressive maximum data rate of 1.5 Gbps, demonstrating sensitivities surpassing previous benchmarks at respective speeds. By incorporating photon number information into error correction codes, the receiver can tolerate maximum background noise levels equivalent to 0.8 photons/slot at a data rate of 120 Mbps-showcasing a great potential for daylight operation scenarios. Additionally, preliminary beam tracking tests were conducted through open-loop scanning techniques, which revealed clear quantitative dependence indicating sensitivity variations based on beam location. Based on the device characterizations and communication results, we anticipate that this device architecture, along with its corresponding signal processing and coding techniques, will be applicable in future space-to-ground communication tasks.
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Reception of faint optical communications signals from deep space presumes multi-meter diameter optical receivers coupled to high detection efficiency photon counting detectors. Superconducting nanowire detectors presently offer the highest performance for photon starved optical communications at near-infrared optical communications wavelengths. Square-millimeter sized arrays are required due to atmospheric turbulence and the classical solid angle-area invariant of an optical system, but most development of superconducting nanowire detectors has been for small pixels and arrays of less than 0.001 square-millimeter area. One deep space receiver approach is to partition detector area across multiple receive apertures (multiple telescopes) to use these small detectors, but this carries performance and cost penalties compared to use of a single large aperture. At JPL we are pursuing the development of large superconducting nanowire arrays for free space coupling to multi-meter telescopes and have developed a facility for testing large area free-space coupled nanowire arrays and fabricated arrays up to 64 pixels in the NbTiN and W(1-x)Six material systems.
The NASA Glenn Research Center's development of a high-photon efficiency real-time optical communications ground receiver has added superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) coupled with few-mode fibers (FMF). High data rate space-to-ground optical communication links require enhanced ground receiver sensitivity to reduce spacecraft transmitter constraints, and therefore require highly efficient coupling from fiber to detector. In the presence of atmospheric turbulence the received optical wavefront can be severely distorted introducing higher-order spatial mode components to the received signal. To reduce mode filtering and mismatch loss and the resulting degradations to detector coupling efficiency, we explore the use of few-mode fiber coupling to commercial single-pixel SNSPDs. Graded index 20-μm few-mode fibers allow the commercial single pixel SNSPD's active area to couple with equal efficiency as single mode fibers. Here we determine detector characteristics such as count rate, detection efficiency, dark counts, and jitter, as well as detection efficiencies for higher-order fiber spatial modes. Additionally, we assess the laboratory performance of the detectors in an optical system which emulates future deep space optical communications links.