Enhanced telecom wavelength single-photon detection with NbTiN superconducting nanowires on oxidized silicon

Tanner, M.G. et al. (2010) Enhanced telecom wavelength single-photon detection with NbTiN superconducting nanowires on oxidized silicon. Applied Physics Letters, 96(22), p. 221109. (doi: 10.1063/1.3428960)

Abstract

Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) have emerged as a highly promising infrared single-photon detector technology. Next-generation devices are being developed with enhanced detection efficiency (DE) at key technological wavelengths via the use of optical cavities. Furthermore, new materials and substrates are being explored for improved fabrication versatility, higher DE, and lower dark counts. We report on the practical performance of packaged NbTiN SNSPDs fabricated on oxidized silicon substrates in the wavelength range from 830 to 1700 nm. We exploit constructive interference from the SiO2/Si interface in order to achieve enhanced front-side fiber-coupled DE of 23.2 % at 1310 nm, at 1 kHz dark count rate, with 60 ps full width half maximum timing jitter.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hadfield, Professor Robert and Tanner, Dr Michael
• Authors: Tanner, M.G., Natarajan, C.M., Pottapenjara, V.K., O’Connor, J.A., Warburton, R.J., Hadfield, R.H., Baek, B., Nam, S., Dorenbos, S.N., Ureña, E.., Zijlstra, T., Klapwijk, T.M., and Zwiller, V.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
• Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters
• ISSN: 0003-6951
• ISSN (Online): 1077-3118
• Published Online: 03 June 2010