Proposal for a GHz count rate near-IR single-photon detector based on a nanoscale superconducting transition edge sensor

TL;DR

This paper proposes a nanoscale superconducting transition edge sensor capable of energy-resolved near-IR single-photon detection at GHz count rates, leveraging small heat capacity for enhanced speed and sensitivity.

Contribution

It introduces a novel nanoscale niobium-based detector design with predicted high-speed, energy-resolved single-photon detection capabilities in the near-IR range.

Findings

Predicted thermal response time and energy resolution of the device

Potential for GHz count rate near-IR single-photon detection

Discussion of optical coupling strategies using resonant antennas

Abstract

We describe a superconducting transition edge sensor based on a nanoscale niobium detector element. This device is predicted to be capable of energy-resolved near-IR single-photon detection with a GHz count rate. The increased speed and sensitivity of this device compared to traditional transition edge sensors result from the very small electronic heat capacity of the nanoscale detector element. In the present work, we calculate the predicted thermal response time and energy resolution. We also discuss approaches for achieving efficient optical coupling to the sub-wavelength detector element using a resonant near-IR antenna.