Thermoelectric single-photon detector

Photoconductance quantization in a single-photon detector

We have made a single-photon detector that relies on photoconductive gain in a narrow electron channel in an AlyGa12yAs/GaAs two-dimensional electron gas. Given that the electron channel is one dimensional, the photoinduced conductance has plateaus at multiples of the quantum conductance 2e/h . Superimposed on these broad conductance plateaus are many sharp, small, conductance steps associated ...

Picosecond superconducting single-photon optical detector

We experimentally demonstrate a supercurrent-assisted, hotspot-formation mechanism for ultrafast detection and counting of visible and infrared photons. A photon-induced hotspot leads to a temporary formation of a resistive barrier across the superconducting sensor strip and results in an easily measurable voltage pulse. Subsequent hotspot healing in ;30 ps time frame, restores the superconduct...

Low-noise PPLN-based single-photon detector

This paper describes the detection of single photons, which have been transmitted through standard fiber at the telecom wavelength of 1310 nm. Following transmission, the 1310-nm photon is up-converted to 710 nm in a periodical-poled LiNbO3 (PPLN) waveguide and then detected by a silicon-based avalanche photodiode (Si-APD). The overall detection efficiency of the detector is 20%. We have also c...

Superconducting-nanowire single-photon-detector linear array

Single photon detector with high polarization sensitivity

Polarization is one of the key parameters of light. Most optical detectors are intensity detectors that are insensitive to the polarization of light. A superconducting nanowire single photon detector (SNSPD) is naturally sensitive to polarization due to its nanowire structure. Previous studies focused on producing a polarization-insensitive SNSPD. In this study, by adjusting the width and pitch...