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Infrared single photon counting with superconducting nanowires: State-of-the-art and future development

In the last decades, advances in materials growth and nanopatterning techniques have enabled the creation of a new class of ultra-sensitive optical detector: the superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD). These devices offer unprecedented performances in terms of high efficiency, ultrafast response and low noise at infrared wavelengths, far outperforming off-the-shelf alternatives such as semiconductor avalanche photodiodes and photomultiplier tubes. The potential of SNSPDs has been demonstrated in a range of important scientific applications, including quantum cryptography, remote sensing and laser-based cancer treatment. Moreover, SNSPDs requires only single electron beam patterning and dry etching steps, making them the ideal candidates for integration on almost any kind of optical waveguides for on-chip integrated photonics applications. In this seminar, I will give a short overview on our activity at University of Glasgow to develop next generation SNSPDs employing state–of-the-art nanofabrication techniques, sensor configurations and innovative materials, to satisfy the stringent requirements of 21st century challenging applications. Also, I will talk about our strategy to develop on-chip integrated readout scheme for the multiplexing of large number of SNSPDs in array configuration for advanced imaging and on-chip integrated photonics applications.