Superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) have developed into a mature device technology and excel due outstanding performance metrics, in particular high detection efficiency combined with high time resolution and low dark count rate for a wide wavelength range from the visible to the mid-infrared. In addition to commercially available systems with devices coupled to optical fibers, SSPDs can be integrated with photonic circuits using scalable nanofabrication technologies.
Here, we will present recent progress on SSPDs based on NbTiN thin films and their integration on different photonic material platforms. Our process for NbTiN growth at room temperature will be described, using magnetron reactive co-sputtering to achieve high-quality superconducting layers down to thicknesses of few nanometres. Optimized SSPD devices are realized by tuning the superconducting properties of NbTiN thin films, adjusting the material composition and nanocrystalline structure. The realization of different types of detectors and geometries will be shown, including nanofabrication techniques for achieving fully suspended nanowire structures. Furthermore, we will discuss challenges and prospects for scaling-up SSPD device technology as well as detector systems. Multiplexing schemes such as dispersion engineering of superconducting transmission lines will be highlighted as powerful approach to address multiple detectors and reduce the number of required feedthroughs and electrical lines in the cryostat. Eventually, exemplary applications of SSPDs for photon counting in quantum optics and light detection and ranging (LIDAR) will be outlined.
We investigate the indistinguishability of single photons generated from strain-free GaAs/AlGaAs quantum dots using pulsed resonance fluorescence techniques. In pulsed two-photon interference measurements we observe a single photon indistinguishability with a raw visibility of 95%. This can be traced back to the short intrinsic lifetime of excitons and trions confined in the GaAs quantum dots and demonstrates that for this material system the generation of single photons is possible with near-unity indistinguishability even without Purcell enhancement.
Fiber-based quantum networks require on-demand sources of entangled photons in the telecom C-band for long distance information transfer. Historically, the field of in-fiber entanglement distribution has been dominated by photons provided via spontaneous processes. In recent years, semiconductor quantum dots have emerged as strong competitors in terms of generating single and entangled photons due to their promise of deterministic qubit generation in the NIR wavelength region. Here, we show the on-demand generation of polarization entangled photons in the telecom C-band based on InAs/GaAs quantum dots grown via metal-organic vapor-phase epitaxy. By employing a robust phonon-assisted two-photon excitation scheme, we are able to generate pairs of entangled photons with a concurrence of 91.4 ± 3.8 % and a maximum fidelity to the Bell state Φ+ of 95.2 ± 1.1 %.
We investigate the indistinguishability of single photons generated from strain-free GaAs/AlGaAs quantum dots using pulsed resonance fluorescence techniques. In pulsed two-photon interference measurements we observe a single photon indistinguishability with a raw visibility of 95%. This can be traced back to the short intrinsic lifetime of excitons and trions confined in the GaAs quantum dots and demonstrates that for this material system the generation of single photons is possible with near-unity indistinguishability even without Purcell enhancement.
We develop schemes to generate, manipulate and detect single photons at various frequencies including telecom wavelengths. With detectors based on superconducting nanowires we combine very high detection efficiency with high time resolution and very low noise levels. We demonstrate on-chip implementation of single photon techniques as well as long distance implementations using deployed optical fibers.
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