Ultrafast infrared superconducting single-photon detectors

超快红外超导单光子探测器

• 批准号: EP/F009968/1
• 负责人: Robert Hadfield
• 金额: $ 29.34万
• 依托单位: Heriot-Watt University
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 财政年份: 2007
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2007 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FF009968%2F1
• 关键词: Ultrafast; infrared; superconducting; single; photon

One of Einstein's key contributions to modern science was to recognize that light is fundamentally composed of discrete packets of energy known as photons. A single photon detector is an extremely sensitive device capable of counting these individual quantum objects - at low light intensities the arrival of photons can be distinguished as clearly as the first patter of raindrops on a tin roof. Lower energy (infrared) photons are less strongly adsorbed and scattered by typical transmission media (the atmosphere, optical fibre or even living tissue) than photons at visible wavelengths. Hence infrared single-photon detectors are a crucial enabling technology for a host of scientific applications, ranging from the ultimate in secure communications (quantum cryptography), to new methods of medical imaging. Serious problems are encountered when attempting infrared single-photon counting with conventional semiconductor-based detectors. This technological gap represents a significant obstacle for researchers across a range of fields. This proposal is based upon a new type of single photon-detector capable of registering low energy photons with unprecedented timing resolution. This detector is a product of recent advances in the art of miniaturization -Nanotechnology. It is comprised of an ultra-narrow ('nanoscale') wire, cooled to low temperature such that it enters the superconducting state. Commercial closed-cycle cooling technology now makes this futuristic detector viable for practical applications. This proposal aims to set up a world class research programme in the UK based on improving and exploiting this highly promising new technology. This programme will be carried out at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, which is one of the leading photonics centres in Europe. Key goals at the outset are to set up an optical test bed for these detectors, to further improve their performance, and to employ them in groundbreaking new single-photon counting applications. This proposal should have a powerful impact in terms of new science and technological applications.

爱因斯坦对现代科学的重要贡献之一是认识到光基本上是由被称为光子的离散能量包组成的。单光子探测器是一种非常灵敏的设备，能够对这些单独的量子物体进行计数——在低光强度下，光子的到来就像锡屋顶上雨滴的第一声一样清晰。较低能量（红外）光子被典型的传输介质（大气、光纤甚至活组织）吸收和散射的强度不如可见光光子。因此，红外单光子探测器是许多科学应用的关键使能技术，从安全通信的终极（量子密码学）到医学成像的新方法。用传统的基于半导体的探测器进行红外单光子计数时，遇到了严重的问题。这一技术差距对许多领域的研究人员来说都是一个重大障碍。这一提议是基于一种新型的单光子探测器，能够以前所未有的时间分辨率记录低能量光子。这种探测器是微型化技术的最新进展——纳米技术的产物。它由一根超窄（“纳米级”）电线组成，冷却到低温，使其进入超导状态。商业封闭循环冷却技术现在使这种未来探测器在实际应用中可行。该提案旨在在英国建立一个世界级的研究项目，以改进和开发这项极具前景的新技术。该项目将在爱丁堡赫瑞瓦特大学进行，该大学是欧洲领先的光子学中心之一。一开始的主要目标是为这些探测器建立一个光学测试平台，进一步提高它们的性能，并将它们用于突破性的新单光子计数应用。这一建议将在新的科学和技术应用方面产生强大的影响。

项目成果

Linewidth narrowing and Purcell enhancement in photonic crystal cavities on an Er-doped silicon nitride platform.

掺铒氮化硅平台上光子晶体腔的线宽变窄和 Purcell 增强。

• DOI: 10.1364/oe.18.002601
• 发表时间: 2010
• 期刊: Optics express
• 影响因子: 3.8
• 作者: Gong Y

A superconducting nanowire single-photon detector system for single-photon source characterization

• DOI: 10.1117/12.851892
• 发表时间: 2010-04
• 作者: C. Fitzpatrick;C. M. Natarajan;R. Warburton;G. Buller;B. Baek;S. Nam;S. Miki;Zhen Wang;Masahide Sasaki;A. Sinclair;R. Hadfield

Correlated photon-pair generation in a periodically poled MgO doped stoichiometric lithium tantalate reverse proton exchanged waveguide

• DOI: 10.1063/1.3628328
• 发表时间: 2011-03
• 期刊: Applied Physics Letters
• 影响因子: 4
• 作者: M. Lobino;G. Marshall;C. Xiong;A. Clark;D. Bonneau;C. M. Natarajan;M. G. Tanner;R. Hadfield;S. Dorenbos;T. Zijlstra;V. Zwiller;M. Marangoni;R. Ramponi;M. Thompson;B. Eggleton;J. O'Brien

Analysis of detector performance in a gigahertz clock rate quantum key distribution system

• DOI: 10.1088/1367-2630/13/7/075008
• 发表时间: 2011-07-22
• 期刊: NEW JOURNAL OF PHYSICS
• 影响因子: 3.3
• 作者: Clarke, Patrick J.;Collins, Robert J.;Buller, Gerald S.
• 通讯作者: Buller, Gerald S.

Quantum interference and manipulation of entanglement in silicon wire waveguide quantum circuits

• DOI: 10.1088/1367-2630/14/4/045003
• 发表时间: 2012-04-04
• 期刊: NEW JOURNAL OF PHYSICS
• 影响因子: 3.3
• 作者: Bonneau, D.;Engin, E.;Thompson, M. G.
• 通讯作者: Thompson, M. G.