Phys.org January 31, 2024
Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) are a mature photon-counting technology as demonstrated by their figures of merit such as high detection efficiencies and very low dark count rates. However, scaling SNSPDs to large array sizes for mid-infrared applications requires sophisticated readout architectures in addition to superconducting materials development. Researchers at NIST, Boulder, Colorado, developed an SNSPD array design that combined a thermally coupled row-column multiplexing architecture with a thermally coupled time-of-flight transmission line for mid-infrared applications. It required only six cables and could be scaled to larger array sizes. The demonstration of a 64-pixel array showed promising results for wavelengths between 3.4??m and 10??m, which, according to the researchers will enable the use of the single-photon detector technology for a broad range of new applications…read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLEÂ
