English

Shanghai Microsystems Institute has developed a high-speed photon detector with distinguishable photon numbers

1177
2024-07-12 11:14:40
See translation

Recently, Li Hao and You Lixing's team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai Institute of Microsystems and Information Technology developed an ultrahigh speed, photon number resolvable optical quantum detector with a maximum count rate of 5GHz and a photon number resolution of 61 by using the sandwich structure superconducting nanowires and multi wires working in parallel. The related research results, titled "Superconducting single photon detector with speed of 5 GHz and photon number resolution of 61", were published online in Photonics Research and were selected for editorial recommendation.

In recent years, superconducting nanowire single photon detectors have been widely used in quantum communication, optical quantum computing, and quantum mechanics principle verification due to their high efficiency, low dark count rate, and excellent time resolution.

The team has developed a highly efficient, ultra high speed, and high photon resolution superconducting detector integrated system. To ensure the portability and reliability of the detection system, the project has built a cooling integrated system based on a GM small refrigeration mechanism. The system supports 64 electrical channels and has a minimum operating temperature of 2.3 K. The detector chip integrates 64 superconducting nanowires on a distributed Bragg reflector, achieving both improved photon absorption and detection speed. After characterization, the yield of nanowire preparation was 61/64, and the system detection efficiency reached 90% at a wavelength of 1550 nm. The maximum counting rate was 5.2 GHz, and the counting rate was 1.7 GHz when the detection efficiency decreased by 3dB. The photon number resolution was 61. The performance indicators of this detection system are expected to support applications such as deep space laser communication, high-speed quantum communication, and basic quantum optical experiments.

The research work was supported by the Science and Technology Innovation 2030 Major Project, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the "Sailing Plan" of Shanghai.


Device structure (a), superconducting nanowires (b), device packaging (c), and refrigeration system (d)

Source: Shanghai Institute of Microsystems and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Related Recommendations
  • NKT Photonics utilizes fiber lasers to achieve deep space communication links

    On July 7, the European Space Agency (ESA), established Europe’s first deep-space optical communication link with NASA’s Psyche mission using a high-power fiber laser system supplied by NKT Photonics, a subsidiary of Hamamatsu.NKT’s announcement stated, “This achievement, conducted with NASA/JPL’s Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) demonstrator, marks a significant leap forward in high-data-...

    07-21
    See translation
  • Zhongke Yuchen laser welding technology opens up vast space for the welding process of new energy vehicle motors

    The application of laser welding technology in the welding process of new energy vehicle motors is a typical example of Zhongke Yuchen in many welding cases. The main accessories of the automatic laser welding equipment for new energy vehicle motors are imported products, and the welding process is mature and stable.Motor rotorMotor statorLaser welding of motor stator tapThe circumferential wel...

    2023-10-18
    See translation
  • Abnormal relativistic emission generated by strong interaction between laser and plasma reflector

    The interaction between strong laser pulses and plasma mirrors has been a focus of recent physical research, as they generate interesting effects. Experiments have shown that these interactions can generate a nonlinear physical process called high-order harmonics, characterized by emitting extreme ultraviolet radiation and brief flashes of laser light.Researchers from the Czech Extreme Light Infra...

    2023-12-04
    See translation
  • Research progress on the interaction between strong laser and matter Electromagnetic induced transparency effect in plasma physics

    The transmission of electromagnetic waves (such as lasers) in plasma is a fundamental issue in plasma physics. In general, electromagnetic waves cannot be transmitted in high-density plasma, but their transmission and energy transfer play a crucial role in applications such as fast ignition laser fusion, laser particle acceleration, and ultra short and ultra bright radiation sources.In 1996, S. fr...

    2024-03-21
    See translation
  • Scientists decipher the code for extending the lifespan of perovskite solar technology

    The latest research led by the University of Surrey shows that alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticles can significantly enhance the lifespan and stability of perovskite solar cells, extending the service life of such high-efficiency energy devices tenfold.Although perovskite solar cells have advantages such as low cost and light weight compared to traditional silicon-based technologies, their commercial po...

    03-03
    See translation