Readout of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors at high count rates

Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors are set apart from other photon counting technologies above all else by their extremely high speed, with few-ten-ps timing resolution, and recovery times τR ≲ 10 ns after a detection event. In this work, however, we identify in the conventional electr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied physics 2013-04, Vol.113 (14)
Main Authors: Kerman, Andrew J., Rosenberg, Danna, Molnar, Richard J., Dauler, Eric A.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors are set apart from other photon counting technologies above all else by their extremely high speed, with few-ten-ps timing resolution, and recovery times τR ≲ 10 ns after a detection event. In this work, however, we identify in the conventional electrical readout scheme a nonlinear interaction between the detector and its readout which can make stable, high-efficiency operation impossible at count rates even an order-of-magnitude less than τR−1. We present detailed experimental confirmation of this, and a theoretical model which quantitatively explains our observations. Finally, we describe an improved readout which circumvents this problem, allowing these detectors to be operated stably at high count rates, with a detection efficiency penalty determined purely by their inductive reset time.
ISSN:0021-8979
1089-7550
DOI:10.1063/1.4799397