Systems and methods for resolving a number of incident RF-range photons
US12029141B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 30, 2021 |
| Grant date | Jul 2, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 5, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10N60/855
Abstract
A photon-number-resolving detector comprises a detection element, an ohmmeter, and a hardware logic component. The detection element can be formed from a Weyl or Dirac semimetal. Electrons of the detection element are characterized by a surface state that exhibits a Dirac cone and a bulk superconducting state that exhibits a bandgap. When photons having energies less than the bandgap of the bulk superconducting state impinges on the detection element, the photons can be absorbed by electrons of the detection element that are characterized by the surface state. The ohmmeter outputs resistance data indicative of an electrical resistance of the detection element while the photons impinge on the detection element. The hardware logic component can determine, based upon the resistance data, a number of the photons that are absorbed by the surface state electrons of the detection element.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.