Summary
Single-photon detection is an emerging technology, with applications ranging from medical imaging and LIDAR systems to space communication and fundamental quantum optics. Moreover, single-photon detectors are considered an enabling technology for the development of quantum information science, paving the way for the realization of one of the main challenges of the 21st century: the quantum computer. Currently, single-photon detection is carried out using semiconductor-based avalanche photodiodes; however, this technology is limited by large timing jitter, unavoidable dark counts, after pulsing, and limited detection efficiency. A recently proposed alternative relies on a superconducting nanowire biased just below its critical current, so that an impinging photon triggers a transition from the superconducting to the normal state, resulting in a voltage spike at the nanowire leads. The detection efficiency can be boosted close to unity by coupling the superconducting nanowire to the evanescent field propagating in a waveguide. However, the fabrication of high quality, ultra-thin superconducting layers is challenging, and the operation wavelength of such devices is limited by the waveguide band gap. We have identified GaN/AlN as the best suited waveguide material system, approximately lattice matched with NbN, and with a transparent band from 400 to 6000 nm. The target of the SuSiPOD project is the establishment of a technology platform for the fabrication of a new generation of broadband superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors built on III-nitride waveguides, in which photons are coupled laterally with the help of a tapered optical fibre. This new geometry should allow near-unity absorption probability in a wide spectral range, since the substrate is transparent to visible and infrared light. The project success will be proven by the realization of a working prototype which will greatly outperform state-of-the-art single-photon detectors.
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More information & hyperlinks
| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/657497 |
| Start date: | 01-07-2015 |
| End date: | 30-06-2017 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | 173 076,00 Euro - 173 076,00 Euro |
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Original description
Single-photon detection is an emerging technology, with applications ranging from medical imaging and LIDAR systems to space communication and fundamental quantum optics. Moreover, single-photon detectors are considered an enabling technology for the development of quantum information science, paving the way for the realization of one of the main challenges of the 21st century: the quantum computer. Currently, single-photon detection is carried out using semiconductor-based avalanche photodiodes; however, this technology is limited by large timing jitter, unavoidable dark counts, after pulsing, and limited detection efficiency. A recently proposed alternative relies on a superconducting nanowire biased just below its critical current, so that an impinging photon triggers a transition from the superconducting to the normal state, resulting in a voltage spike at the nanowire leads. The detection efficiency can be boosted close to unity by coupling the superconducting nanowire to the evanescent field propagating in a waveguide. However, the fabrication of high quality, ultra-thin superconducting layers is challenging, and the operation wavelength of such devices is limited by the waveguide band gap. We have identified GaN/AlN as the best suited waveguide material system, approximately lattice matched with NbN, and with a transparent band from 400 to 6000 nm. The target of the SuSiPOD project is the establishment of a technology platform for the fabrication of a new generation of broadband superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors built on III-nitride waveguides, in which photons are coupled laterally with the help of a tapered optical fibre. This new geometry should allow near-unity absorption probability in a wide spectral range, since the substrate is transparent to visible and infrared light. The project success will be proven by the realization of a working prototype which will greatly outperform state-of-the-art single-photon detectors.Status
CLOSEDCall topic
MSCA-IF-2014-EFUpdate Date
28-04-2024
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