Plasmonic structure integrated single-photon detector configurations to improve absorptance and polarization contrast

TL;DR

This paper investigates plasmonic structures integrated with superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors to optimize light absorption and polarization contrast at 1550 nm, revealing design-specific optimal configurations.

Contribution

It identifies optimal plasmonic configurations for SNSPDs that maximize absorptance and polarization contrast, based on resonance phenomena and device geometry.

Findings

Maximal NbN absorptance occurs with p/s-polarized light at gamma=90°

Highest polarization contrast is achieved in S-orientation

Resonance coupling enhances absorptance and contrast

Abstract

Configurations capable of maximizing both absorptance and polarization contrast were determined for 1550 nm polarized light illumination of different plasmonic structure integrated superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) consisting of p=264 nm and P=792 nm periodic niobium-nitride (NbN) patterns on silica substrate. Global NbN absorptance maxima appear in case of p/s-polarized light illumination in S/P-orientation (gamma=90 azimuthal angle) and the highest polarization contrast is attained in S-orientation of all devices. Common nanophotonical origin of absorptance enhancement is collective resonance on nano-cavity-gratings with different profiles, which is promoted by coupling between localized modes in quarter wavelength MIM nano-cavities and laterally synchronized Brewster-Zenneck-type surface waves in integrated SNSPDs possessing a three-quarter-wavelength-scaled periodicity. The spectral sensitivity and dispersion characteristics reveal that device design specific optimal configurations exist.