The frontier of information processing lies in nanoscience and nanotechnology research. At the nanoscale, materials, and structures can be engineered to exhibit interesting new properties, some based on quantum mechanical effects. Our research focuses on developing nanofabrication technology at the few-nanometer length scale. We use these technologies to push the envelope of what is possible with photonic and electrical devices, focusing in particular on superconductive and free-electron devices. Our research combines electrical engineering, physics, and materials science and helps extend the limits of nanoscale engineering.
The nanocryotron: A superconducting-nanowire three-terminal electrothermal device
Recent QNN News
New Publication “Design and Simulation of a Linear Electron Cavity for Quantum Electron Microscopy”
Quantum electron microscopy (QEM) is a measurement approach that could reduce sample radiation damage, which represents the main obstacle to sub-nanometer direct imaging of molecules in conventional electron microscopes. This method is based on the exploitation of...
New Publication “Jitter Characterization of a Dual-Readout SNSPD”
To better understand the origins of the timing resolution, also known as jitter, of superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs), we have performed timing characterizations of a niobium nitride SNSPD with a dual-ended readout. By simultaneously measuring...
New Publication “Superconducting nanowire single-photon detector with integrated impedance-matching taper”
Conventional readout of a superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD) sets an upper bound on the output voltage to be the product of the bias current and the load impedance, IB × Zload, where Zload is limited to 50 Ω in standard r.f. electronics. Here, we...
New Publication “Influence of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) on niobium nitride thin films”
Functionality of superconducting thin-film devices such as superconducting nanowire single photon detectors stems from the geometric effects that take place at the nanoscale. The engineering of these technologies requires high-resolution patterning, often achieved...
New video “Studying Superconducting Thin Films”
Summer Program: Studying superconducting thin film This summer, Lily Hallett investigated superconducting MoN thin films for use in nanowire single-photon detectors. She optimized deposition conditions for DC Magnetron Sputtering of MoN films and studied their...