Single-photon detectors combining ultra-high efficiency, detection-rates, and timing resolution

TL;DR

This paper presents a superconducting nanowire single-photon detector achieving over 92% efficiency, 150MHz detection rate, low dark counts, and timing jitter below 15ps, advancing quantum optics measurement capabilities.

Contribution

It introduces a broadband NbTiN superconducting nanowire detector that combines high efficiency, high detection rate, low dark counts, and ultra-low timing jitter in a single device.

Findings

Efficiency exceeds 92%.

Detection rate over 150MHz.

Timing jitter below 15ps.

Abstract

Single-photon detection with high efficiency, high timing resolution, low dark counts and high photon detection-rates is crucial for a wide range of optical measurements. Although efficient detectors have been reported before, combining all performance parameters in a single device remains a challenge. Here, we show a broadband NbTiN superconducting nanowire detector with an efficiency exceeding 92%, over 150MHz photon detection-rate, a dark count-rate below 130Hz, operated in a Gifford-McMahon cryostat. Furthermore, with careful optimization of the detector design and readout electronics, we reach an ultra-low system timing jitter of 14.80ps (13.95ps decoupled) while maintaining high detection efficiencies.