Superconducting single photon detector
AssigneeYale University
InventorsHongxing Tang, Wolfram Pernice, Carsten Schuck
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Abstract
The present invention provides a device and system for high-efficiency and low-noise detection of single photons within the visible and infrared spectrum. In certain embodiments, the device of the invention can be integrated within photonic circuits to provide on-chip photon detection. The device comprises a traveling wave design comprising a waveguide layer and a superconducting nanowire atop of the waveguide.
Claims26
A device for the detection of single photons in the visible and infrared spectrum, the device comprising a buried waveguide layer in a substrate and a superconducting nanowire, wherein the substrate comprises a cavity exposing at least a portion of the buried waveguide layer, and wherein the superconducting nanowire is positioned atop the exposed portion of the buried waveguide layer.
A device for the detection of single photons in the visible and infrared spectrum, the device comprising:
- a substrate layer having a cavity;
- a silicon nitride layer atop the substrate layer and cavity;
- a superconductor nanowire atop the silicon nitride layer, wherein the nanowire is positioned above the cavity;
- an insulator layer atop the superconducting nanowire;
- and
- a reflector layer atop the insulator layer.
A system for the detection of single photons in the visible and infrared spectrum comprising:
- at least one device for detecting a photon, the at least one device comprising a buried waveguide layer in a substrate and a superconducting nanowire, wherein the substrate comprises a cavity exposing at least a portion of the buried waveguide layer, and wherein the superconducting nanowire is positioned atop the exposed portion of the buried waveguide layer;
- at least one optical fiber optically coupled to a waveguide of the at least one device;
- and
- a tool for measuring the output of the superconducting nanowire of the at least one device.
A device for the detection of single photons in the visible and infrared spectrum, the device comprising a buried waveguide layer in a substrate, a superconducting nanowire, and a surface waveguide layer evanescently coupled to the buried waveguide layer, wherein the superconducting nanowire is positioned atop the surface waveguide layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.