English

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

1216
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
  • Purchase Atomstack S20 Max 657W laser engraving machine from CAFAGO for 20 euros

    Want to unleash your creativity with cutting-edge laser engraving machines? The new Atomstack S20 Max 20W laser engraving machine is your perfect choice! With a series of groundbreaking features and larger creative space, this machine's beast will completely change your laser carving experience.Farewell to restrictions! The Atomstack S20 Max has a wide working area of 850 * 400mm, and can easily m...

    2023-11-11
    See translation
  • Scientists achieve extremely short laser pulses with a peak power of 6 terawatts

    RIKEN's two physicists have achieved extremely short laser pulses with a peak power of 6 terawatts (6 trillion watts) - roughly equivalent to the power generated by 6000 nuclear power plants. This achievement will contribute to the further development of attosecond lasers, for which three researchers were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2023. This study was published in the journal Nature Ph...

    2024-04-22
    See translation
  • SuperLight Photonics receives strategic investment from Hamamatsu Ventures

    Recently, SuperLight Photonics, a leading laser technology manufacturer, announced that it has received strategic investment from global venture capital firm Hamamatsu Ventures, which will be used to promote long-term innovation and collaborative development of its laser technology. Hamamatsu Ventures focuses on investing in photonics companies that address future demand expectations, particular...

    2024-10-22
    See translation
  • Veeco Instruments wins IBM big order

    On August 14th local time, Veeco Instruments, a well-known American laser annealing manufacturer, announced an important cooperation with technology giant IBM. It is reported that IBM has selected Veeco Instruments' WaferStorm wet processing system as support for its advanced packaging applications, and the two parties have signed a joint development agreement to explore the potential of utilizi...

    2024-08-23
    See translation
  • Shanghai Optics and Machinery Institute has made progress in the research of new terahertz sources based on Yb lasers

    Recently, the State Key Laboratory of Intense Field Laser Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics has made new progress in generating intense field terahertz waves based on Yb laser pumped organic crystals. The relevant research results were published in Applied Physics Letters under the title "Efficient strong field THz generation from DSTMS crys...

    2024-04-09
    See translation