Photon-counting optical coherence-domain reflectometry using superconducting single-photon detectors

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the use of superconducting single-photon detectors in optical coherence-domain reflectometry, enhancing sensitivity and data acquisition rates for biological imaging applications.

Contribution

It introduces superconducting single-photon detectors for OCDR, showing their effectiveness over a broad spectral range and high counting rates.

Findings

Reduced noise improves sensitivity for weak signals

SSPDs operate effectively across biological spectral ranges

High counting rates enable faster data acquisition

Abstract

We consider the use of single-photon counting detectors in coherence-domain imaging. Detectors operated in this mode exhibit reduced noise, which leads to increased sensitivity for weak light sources and weakly reflecting samples. In particular, we experimentally demonstrate the possibility of using superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) for optical coherence-domain reflectometry (OCDR). These detectors are sensitive over the full spectral range that is useful for carrying out such imaging in biological samples. With counting rates as high as 100 MHz, SSPDs also offer a high rate of data acquisition if the light flux is sufficient.