Recent advances and future perspectives of single-photon avalanche diodes for quantum photonics applications

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent progress in single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) for quantum photonics, highlighting their advantages over superconducting detectors and discussing future research directions for quantum information applications.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of SPAD operation principles, recent advancements, and compares their performance with quantum photonics requirements, outlining future perspectives.

Findings

SPADs operate effectively at room temperature.

Recent improvements have enhanced SPAD efficiency and timing.

SPADs are promising for scalable quantum photonics applications.

Abstract

Photonic quantum technologies promise a revolution of the world of information processing, from simulation and computing to communication and sensing, thanks to the many advantages of exploiting single photons as quantum information carriers. In this scenario, single-photon detectors play a key role. On the one hand, superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) are able to provide remarkable performance on a broad spectral range, but their applicability is often limited by the need of cryogenic operating temperatures. On the other hand, single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) overcome the intrinsic limitations of SNSPDs by providing a valid alternative at room temperature or slightly below. In this paper, we review the fundamental principles of the SPAD operation and we provide a thorough discussion of the recent progress made in this field, comparing the performance of these devices with the requirements of the quantum photonics applications. In the end, we conclude with our vision of the future by summarizing prospects and unbeaten paths that can open new perspectives in the field of photonic quantum information processing.