Photon-number-resolution with sub-30-ps timing using multi-element superconducting nanowire single photon detectors

TL;DR

This paper presents a superconducting nanowire detector capable of resolving photon numbers with sub-30-ps timing resolution, high efficiency, and potential applications in quantum communication and photon statistics measurement.

Contribution

The authors demonstrate a four-element superconducting nanowire detector with sub-30-ps timing resolution and 25% efficiency at 1550 nm, advancing photon-number-resolving detection technology.

Findings

Achieved sub-30-ps timing resolution for photon detection

Demonstrated 25% detection efficiency at 1550 nm

Validated detector performance against theoretical models

Abstract

A photon-number-resolving detector based on a four-element superconducting nanowire single photon detector is demonstrated to have sub-30-ps resolution in measuring the arrival time of individual photons. This detector can be used to characterize the photon statistics of non-pulsed light sources and to mitigate dead-time effects in high-speed photon counting applications. Furthermore, a 25% system detection efficiency at 1550 nm was demonstrated, making the detector useful for both low-flux source characterization and high-speed photon-counting and quantum communication applications. The design, fabrication and testing of this detector are described, and a comparison between the measured and theoretical performance is presented.