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 Conference on Space Optics (ICSO)

Superconducting nanowire single-photon detector array for ESA’s ground laser receiver in collaboration with NASA/JPL for the Psyche deep-space optical communication demonstration

Antonio Guardiani, Henri Vlot, Lieuwe Locht, Amin Fakhree, Martín Caldarola, Andreas Fognini, Hristo Ivanov, Sinda Mejri

Published Jul 28, 2025• 1 citation
Publisher
DOI
10.1117/12.3075352

Related papers

Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detectors For Deep Space Optical Communication

Matt Shaw, Francesco Marsili, Andrew D. Beyer +9 more

•Jan 28, 2017•4 citations

Superconducting nanowire single-photon detector arrays for optical communication, astronomy, and single-photon imaging

Emma E. Wollman, Ioana Craiciu, Boris A. Korzh +9 more

Quantum Computing, Communication, and Simulation•Mar 13, 2024•0 citations

Demonstration of satellite optical communication with superconducting nanowire single-photon detector

Taro Yamashita, Hiroo Kunimori, Shigehito Miki +6 more

The Japan Society of Applied Physics•Jul 22, 2016•0 citations

Large-area SNSPD array for RF/optical hybrid 7-segment pathfinder receiver

Jason P. Allmaras, Boris A. Korzh, Andrew D. Beyer +8 more

In this work we describe the development, characterization, and integration of a 16-channel, 400-μm diameter active area, double-ended read-out NbTiN superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD) array and the supporting electronics used in an RF/Optical hybrid telescope for deep-space laser communications. This is the first fielddemonstration of a multi-channel, co-wound, double-ended read-out SNSPD array. With the number and complexity of future space exploration missions expected to increase, NASA is investigating ways to augment the information capacity of the Deep Space Network (DSN) global array of RF receivers used to track and communicate with these spacecrafts. Optical communication offers a path toward increasing the overall bandwidth of the DSN while allowing for higher data throughput for the same size weight and power (SWAP) transmitter on the spacecraft. NASA’s RF/Optical Hybrid (RFO) program proposes using a segmented, 8-10-meter equivalent aperture primary mirror mounted on existing 34- meter diameter beam waveguide (BWG) RF antennas to couple light into photon counting detectors for pulse position modulation (PPM) and on-off keying (OOK) data formats. JPL has deployed a pathfinder hybrid telescope on a DSN BWG antenna in Goldstone, California. The pathfinder couples light from a 1.2-meter effective diameter, 7-hexagonalsegment mirror assembly to a 400-μm core graded-index multimode fiber. This fiber is then routed to a cryostat and coupled to an SNSPD array through free-space optics. Coupling from a large diameter fiber to an SNSPD array while maintaining a small number of readout channels from the cryostat presents some unique challenges for the SNSPD array and receiver design.

Free-space laser communication technologies. Conference•Mar 15, 2023•2 citations

SNSPD-based detector system for NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications project

Emma E. Wollman, Jason P. Allmaras, Andrew D. Beyer +8 more

We report on a free-space-coupled superconducting nanowire single-photon detector array developed for NASA's Deep Space Optical Communications project (DSOC). The array serves as the downlink detector for DSOC's primary ground receiver terminal located at Palomar Observatory's 200-inch Hale Telescope. The 64-pixel WSi array comprises four quadrants of 16 co-wound pixels covering a 320-µm diameter active area and embedded in an optical stack. The detector system also includes cryogenic optics for filtering and focusing the downlink signal and electronics for biasing the array and amplifying the output pulses. The detector system exhibits a peak system detection efficiency of 76% at 1550 nm, a background-limited false count rate as low as 3.7 kcps across the array, a timing jitter less than 120 ps FWHM, and a maximum count rate of ∼1 Gcps.

arXiv:2409.02356•Optics Express•Nov 26, 2024•37 citations

Superconducting nanowire arrays for multi-meter free-space optical communications receivers

William H. Farr, Jeffrey A. Stern, Matthew D. Shaw

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.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Feb 9, 2012•0 citations
In this work we describe the development, characterization, and integration of a 16-channel, 400-μm diameter active area, double-ended read-out NbTiN superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD) array and the supporting electronics used in an RF/Optical hybrid telescope for deep-space laser communications. This is the first fielddemonstration of a multi-channel, co-wound, double-ended read-out SNSPD array. With the number and complexity of future space exploration missions expected to increase, NASA is investigating ways to augment the information capacity of the Deep Space Network (DSN) global array of RF receivers used to track and communicate with these spacecrafts. Optical communication offers a path toward increasing the overall bandwidth of the DSN while allowing for higher data throughput for the same size weight and power (SWAP) transmitter on the spacecraft. NASA’s RF/Optical Hybrid (RFO) program proposes using a segmented, 8-10-meter equivalent aperture primary mirror mounted on existing 34- meter diameter beam waveguide (BWG) RF antennas to couple light into photon counting detectors for pulse position modulation (PPM) and on-off keying (OOK) data formats. JPL has deployed a pathfinder hybrid telescope on a DSN BWG antenna in Goldstone, California. The pathfinder couples light from a 1.2-meter effective diameter, 7-hexagonalsegment mirror assembly to a 400-μm core graded-index multimode fiber. This fiber is then routed to a cryostat and coupled to an SNSPD array through free-space optics. Coupling from a large diameter fiber to an SNSPD array while maintaining a small number of readout channels from the cryostat presents some unique challenges for the SNSPD array and receiver design.
We report on a free-space-coupled superconducting nanowire single-photon detector array developed for NASA's Deep Space Optical Communications project (DSOC). The array serves as the downlink detector for DSOC's primary ground receiver terminal located at Palomar Observatory's 200-inch Hale Telescope. The 64-pixel WSi array comprises four quadrants of 16 co-wound pixels covering a 320-µm diameter active area and embedded in an optical stack. The detector system also includes cryogenic optics for filtering and focusing the downlink signal and electronics for biasing the array and amplifying the output pulses. The detector system exhibits a peak system detection efficiency of 76% at 1550 nm, a background-limited false count rate as low as 3.7 kcps across the array, a timing jitter less than 120 ps FWHM, and a maximum count rate of ∼1 Gcps.
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.