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Applied Physics Letters

Single-channel-readout amplitude-encoded superconducting single-photon detector array

Rui Yin, Hao Wang, Qi Chen, Zhihao Wang, Huipeng Xia, Haochen Li, Zhuolin Yang, Fei Zhou, Liang Ma, Yanqiu Guan, Wenlei Yin, Lin Kang, Labao Zhang, Peiheng Wu

Published Oct 23, 2025• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

Photonic integrated circuits serve as essential platforms in quantum science, particularly in quantum communication and quantum computing, where linear high-performance single-photon detector arrays are required. Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) are known for their outstanding overall performance and compatibility with on-chip integration, making them the preferred choice for quantum photonic applications. However, conventional SNSPD arrays face challenges such as increased readout complexity or reduced detection speed. Herein, we present an amplitude-encoded SNSPD array featuring single-channel readout and high-speed detection capabilities, demonstrating high-quality discrimination of 12 pixels. This detector can readily achieve proof-of-concept quantum random number generation, underscoring its promise for advanced quantum information applications.

DOI
10.1063/5.0288512

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Photonic integrated circuits serve as essential platforms in quantum science, particularly in quantum communication and quantum computing, where linear high-performance single-photon detector arrays are required. Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) are known for their outstanding overall performance and compatibility with on-chip integration, making them the preferred choice for quantum photonic applications. However, conventional SNSPD arrays face challenges such as increased readout complexity or reduced detection speed. Herein, we present an amplitude-encoded SNSPD array featuring single-channel readout and high-speed detection capabilities, demonstrating high-quality discrimination of 12 pixels. This detector can readily achieve proof-of-concept quantum random number generation, underscoring its promise for advanced quantum information applications.
We report a 16-pixel (4×4) superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD) array featuring pixel-level photon-number-resolving capability. This multidimensional sensing is enabled by integrating a compact four-element series nanowire architecture into each spatial pixel, allowing direct discrimination of one to four photons. Under single-mode fiber illumination, the device achieves a total system detection efficiency of 41.5%, given the array geometrical fill factor of 53%. Across all channels, the device exhibits reliable multiphoton discrimination, maintaining minimum readout fidelities of 96%, 89%, 73%, and 77% for one- to four-photon states, respectively. Furthermore, independent channel evaluations reveal low timing jitter and negligible inter-channel crosstalk (<0.1 % ). By implementing differentiating pulse shaping for high-flux operation, a maximum single-channel −3 dB count rate of 984 MHz is achieved, establishing an aggregated array bandwidth potential of 8.9 GHz. This sensing architecture may provide a viable pathway toward high-flux single-photon imaging, offering potential applications in quantum optics and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems.
Since their inception, superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors have been enabling quantum optical applications and the rise of the photonic quantum industry. The evolution in the detector design and read-out strategies has led to the introduction of devices with a plurality of independent pixels, which have been able to operate with high system detection efficiency at high speed while also supporting photon number resolution capabilities. However, this comes at the cost of a complex readout that requires one coaxial cable for each pixel of the array. Here, we report a 28-pixel SNSPD with a dedicated parallel architecture that, while maintaining a simple readout with a single coaxial line, enables the detector to operate at high speed with low-performance degradation. The device shows a maximum single-photon efficiency of 88% and is able to maintain its efficiency above 50%, coupled with a timing jitter lower than 80 ps, up to a detection rate of 200 million counts per second. The detector also provides state-of-the-art photon-number-resolving performances with a 2-photon efficiency of 75% and a 3-photon efficiency of 62%.
The realization of large-scale photonic circuit for quantum optics experiments at telecom wavelengths requires an increasing number of integrated detectors. Superconductive nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs) can be easily integrated on chip and they can efficiently detect the light propagating inside waveguides. The thermal budget of cryostats poses a limit on the maximum number of elements that can be integrated on the same chip due to the thermal impact of the readout electronics. In this paper, we propose and implement a novel scheme able for an efficient reading of several SNSPDs with only one readout port, enabling the realization of photonic circuits with a large number of modes.
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.
Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detectors (SNSPD) have set leading performance benchmarks in terms of detection efficiency, low noise operation, speed, and timing accuracy. Besides scaling up the numbers of individually addressable nanowire detector channels, integration with nanophotonic functionalities as well as optical and electrical multiplexing will be key to advance single photon counting applications, such as quantum key distribution, optical quantum information processing and simulations of sampling problems. Here we show how integration of SNSPDs with nanophotonic circuit components gives rise to novel use cases. We combine highperformance waveguide-integrated SNSPDs with nano-electromechanical phase-shifters, high speed electro-optic modulators, sub-wavelength grating structures, directional coupler networks, on-chip delay lines and highly efficient and broadband 3D-interconnects to optical fibers, achieving crucial active and passive functionalities for integrated quantum photonics. We showcase the capabilities and practical relevance of photonic integrated SNSPD solutions for the example of high-rate quantum key distribution receivers.
Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) have abstracted widespread attention in the fields of quantum information and quantum photonics due to their high detection efficiency and low dark count rates (DCR). However, single-pixel SNSPDs exist the notable limitations in detection speed and photon number resolution (PNR) capabilities, which pose challenges for practical applications. In this study, we propose a design of a series four-pixel SNSPD that incorporates a SPICE circuit simulation model to achieve PNR and spatial resolution of the four photons in an ideal state, and then determine the optical cavity structure of the detector at the highest light absorption of up to 97% through optical simulation. This design provides a theoretical foundation for the subsequent fabrication of large-area SNSPD with PNR and spatial resolution, significantly improving the flexibility and adaptability of SNSPDs to meet diverse detection requirements. Furthermore, our work also lays a research foundation for multi-photon detection in quantum communication and quantum computing.