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Integrated Optics: Devices, Materials, and Technologies

Overcoming fabrication limits in integrated PNRDs with a mixed-efficiency linear multiplexing scheme

Leonardo Limongi, Martino Bernard, Francesco Martini, Thu Ha Dao, Alessandro Gaggero, F. Mattioli, Andrea Salamon, Alberto Quaranta, Mirko Lobino

Published Jan 16, 2026• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We present a photon-number resolving detector that merges variable- and fixed-efficiency single-photon detectors in one linear array. After a first, optimized section for high absorption, extra detectors with the minimum efficiency allowed by fabrication are added. Analytical and numerical tools show how the fidelity of variable- , uniform- and hybrid-efficiency arrays changes, while keeping the design manufacturable on lithium-niobate photonic circuits equipped with niobium-nitride nanowires. This scheme offers a realistic route to scalable, chip-level photon counting for quantum communication, computing and sensing

DOI
10.1117/12.3078619

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A novel photon-number-resolving detector (PNRD) structure, based on an array of nanowire superconducting single photon detectors (SSPDs) connected in series, have recently been proposed. With this configuration, it is possible to scale to large photon numbers. In this framework, PNRDs capable of resolving up to four, eight and twelve photons at telecommunication wavelengths have been fabricated and tested. The photon-induced voltage signals from all the series elements are summed up into a single readout pulse with a height proportional to the detected photon number. Analysis of the linearity shows the potential of scaling to an even larger dynamic range.
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