Ultrafast infrared superconducting single-photon detectors
Lead Research Organisation:
Heriot-Watt University
Department Name: Sch of Engineering and Physical Science
Abstract
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.
Organisations
Publications
Xiong C
(2011)
Generation of correlated photon pairs in a chalcogenide As2S3 waveguide
in Applied Physics Letters
Lobino M
(2011)
Correlated photon-pair generation in a periodically poled MgO doped stoichiometric lithium tantalate reverse proton exchanged waveguide
in Applied Physics Letters
O'Connor J
(2011)
Spatial dependence of output pulse delay in a niobium nitride nanowire superconducting single-photon detector
in Applied Physics Letters
Natarajan C
(2010)
Operating quantum waveguide circuits with superconducting single-photon detectors
in Applied Physics Letters
McFarlane J
(2009)
Gigahertz bandwidth electrical control over a dark exciton-based memory bit in a single quantum dot
in Applied Physics Letters
Ursin R
(2009)
Space-quest, experiments with quantum entanglement in space
in Europhysics News
Prechtel J
(2012)
Fast electro-optics of a single self-assembled quantum dot in a charge-tunable device
in Journal of Applied Physics
Ramsay E
(2008)
Solid immersion lens applications for nanophotonic devices
in Journal of Nanophotonics
De Greve K
(2012)
Quantum-dot spin-photon entanglement via frequency downconversion to telecom wavelength.
in Nature
De Greve K
(2013)
Complete tomography of a high-fidelity solid-state entangled spin-photon qubit pair.
in Nature communications
Hadfield R
(2009)
Single-photon detectors for optical quantum information applications
in Nature Photonics
Clarke P
(2011)
Analysis of detector performance in a gigahertz clock rate quantum key distribution system
in New Journal of Physics
Bonneau D
(2012)
Quantum interference and manipulation of entanglement in silicon wire waveguide quantum circuits
in New Journal of Physics
Gong Y
(2010)
Linewidth narrowing and Purcell enhancement in photonic crystal cavities on an Er-doped silicon nitride platform.
in Optics express
Gerrits T
(2011)
Generation of degenerate, factorizable, pulsed squeezed light at telecom wavelengths.
in Optics express
Natarajan CM
(2013)
Quantum detector tomography of a time-multiplexed superconducting nanowire single-photon detector at telecom wavelengths.
in Optics express
McCarthy A
(2013)
Kilometer-range, high resolution depth imaging via 1560 nm wavelength single-photon detection.
in Optics express
Bonneau D
(2012)
Fast path and polarization manipulation of telecom wavelength single photons in lithium niobate waveguide devices.
in Physical review letters
Natarajan C
(2012)
Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors: physics and applications
in Superconductor Science and Technology
Description | This EPSRC first grant enabled me to introduce advance infrared superconducting single photon detector technology to the UK for the first time. These devices are a key enabling technology for a host of applications at the frontiers of science including quantum communications, atmospheric remote sensing and laser medicine. |
Exploitation Route | This technology is being developed further and implemented in applications through the UK Quantum Technologies initiative. |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Electronics,Energy,Environment,Financial Services, and Management Consultancy,Healthcare,Government, Democracy and Justice,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Security and Diplomacy |
URL | http://iopscience.iop.org/0953-2048/25/6/063001/article;jsessionid=195CA47D91C5E60682F241B862130A42.c1 |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £960,579 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/F048041/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £339,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/G01163X/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £960,579 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/F048041/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2008 |
End | 09/2012 |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £362,544 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/G022151/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2013 |
End | 12/2016 |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £362,544 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/G022151/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £339,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/G01163X/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2009 |
End | 12/2012 |
Description | European Research Council Consolidator Grant |
Amount | £1,330,336 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 648604 IRIS |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 05/2015 |
End | 10/2019 |
Description | National Physical Laboratory |
Amount | £28,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Photonics EngD student sponsorship (C Fitzpatrick) |
Organisation | National Physical Laboratory |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | National Physical Laboratory |
Amount | £13,333 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Industrial Grant |
Organisation | National Physical Laboratory |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | QUANTIC - the UK quantum technology hub in quantum enhanced imaging |
Amount | £23,056,154 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/M01326X/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2014 |
End | 09/2019 |
Description | Royal Society of London |
Amount | £378,481 (GBP) |
Funding ID | University Research Fellowship (renewal) |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2011 |
End | 09/2014 |
Description | Royal Society of London |
Amount | £378,481 (GBP) |
Funding ID | University Research Fellowship - Renewal |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2011 |
End | 09/2014 |
Description | Royal Society of London |
Amount | £378,481 (GBP) |
Funding ID | University Research Fellowship - Renewal |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2011 |
End | 09/2014 |
Description | QuantIC innovation space opening University of Glasgow November 2016 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Participation in the opening of the QuantIC quantum technology hub innovation space at the University of Glasgow Keith Brown MSP, the Scottish Government's Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Live demonstration of miniaturized cooling platform for superconducting detectors |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | https://quantic.ac.uk/category/news/ |
Description | QuantIC quantum technology hub launch February 2015 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Launch of Quantic quantum technology hub Glasgow Science Centre February 2015 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.quantic.ac.uk |
Description | UK National Quantum Technology Showcase 2016 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Live demonstration of miniaturized cooling platform for superconducting single photon detectors QE2 conference centre, Westminster, London 3/11/2016 Work completed for the QuantIC quantum technology hub in partnership with STFC/RAL |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | https://quantic.ac.uk/category/news/ |