# Josephson-Threshold Calorimeter

## TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel single-photon calorimetric detector based on a Josephson junction's abrupt critical current change, capable of discriminating photon energies across a broad frequency range with high resolution.

## Contribution

It introduces a threshold detection scheme utilizing a Josephson junction's critical current jump for single- or multi-photon detection and energy discrimination.

## Key findings

- Effective detection of photons from mid-infrared to ultraviolet range.
- High resolving power for photon energy measurement.
- Non-invasive readout via Josephson kinetic inductance measurement.

## Abstract

We suggest a single-photon thermal detector based on the abrupt jump of the critical current of a temperature-biased tunnel Josephson junction formed by different superconductors, working in the dissipationless regime. The electrode with the lower critical temperature is used as radiation sensing element, so it is kept thermally floating and is connected to an antenna. The warming up resulting from the absorption of a photon can induce a drastic measurable enhancement of the critical current of the junction. We propose a detection scheme based on a threshold mechanism for single- or multi-photon detection. This Josephson threshold detector has indeed calorimetric capabilities being able to discriminate the energy of the incident photon. So, for the realistic setup that we discuss, our detector can efficiently work as a calorimeter for photons from the mid infrared, through the optical, into the ultraviolet, specifically, for photons with frequencies in the range $[30-9\times10^4]\;\text{THz}$. In the whole range of detectable frequencies a resolving power significantly larger than one results. In order to reveal the signal, we suggest the fast measurement of the Josephson kinetic inductance. Indeed, the photon-induced change in the critical current affects the Josephson kinetic inductance of the junction, which can be non-invasively read through a LC tank circuit, inductively coupled to the junction. Finally, this readout scheme shows remarkable multiplexing capabilities.