Photon number resolving superconducting detector
US11629995B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 25, 2022 |
| Grant date | Apr 18, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 25, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J2001/4446
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of resolving a number of photons received by a photon detector includes optically coupling a waveguide to a superconducting wire having alternating narrow and wide portions; electrically coupling the superconducting wire to a current source; and electrically coupling an electrical contact in parallel with the superconducting wire. The electrical contact has a resistance less than a resistance of the superconducting wire while at least one narrow portion of the superconducting wire is in a non-superconducting state. The method includes providing to the superconducting wire, from the current source, a current configured to maintain the superconducting wire in a superconducting state in the absence of incident photons; receiving one or more photons via the waveguide; measuring an electrical property of the superconducting wire, proportional to a number of photons incident on the superconducting wire; and determining the number of received photons based on the electrical property.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.