We demonstrate a scalable single-photon imager using a single continuous superconducting nanowire that is not only a single-photon detector but also functions as an efficient microwave delay line. In this context, photon-detection pulses are guided in the nanowire and enable the readout of the position and time of photon-absorption events from the arrival times of the detection pulses at the nanowire’s two ends. Experimentally, we slowed down the velocity of pulse propagation to ∼2% of the speed of light in free space. In a 19.7 mm long nanowire that meandered across an area of 286 × 193 μm2, we were able to resolve ∼590 effective pixels with a temporal resolution of 50 ps (full width at half maximum). The nanowire imager presents a scalable approach for high-resolution photon imaging in space and time. A full description of the publication may be found here.
Citation:
Qing-Yuan Zhao , Di Zhu, Niccolò Calandri, Andrew E. Dane , Adam N. McCaughan, Francesco Bellei, Hao-Zhu Wang, Daniel F. Santavicca, and Karl K. Berggren. “Single-photon imager based on a superconducting nanowire delay line,” Nature Photonics, vol. 11, p247-252, 2017.