High efficiency NbN nanowire superconducting single photon detectors fabricated on MgO substrates from a low temperature process
Optics Express, Vol. 16, Issue 5, pp. 3191-3196 (2008)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.16.003191
Acrobat PDF (1730 KB)
Abstract
We demonstrate high-performance nanowire superconducting single photon detectors (SSPDs) on bN thin films grown at a temperature compatible with monolithic integration. NbN films ranging from 150nm to 3nm in thickness were deposited by dc magnetron sputtering on MgO substrates at 400°C. SSPDs were fabricated on high quality NbN films of different thickness (7 to 3nm) deposited under optimal conditions. Electrical and optical characterizations were performed on the SSPDs. The highest QE value measured at 4.2K is 20% at 1300nm.
© 2008 Optical Society of America
1. Introduction
H. Takesue, S. W. Nam, Q. Zhang, R. H. Hadfield, T. Honjo, K. Tamaki, and Y. Yamamoto, “Quantum key distribution over a 40-dB channel loss using superconducting single-photon detectors” Nature Phot. 1(6), 343–348 (2007). [CrossRef]
G. N. Gol’tsman, O. Okunev, G. Chulkova, A. Lipatov, A. Semenov, K. Smirnov, B. Voronov, A. Dzardanov, C. Williams, and R. Sobolewski, “Picosecond superconducting single-photon optical detector” Appl. Phys. Lett. 79(6), 705–707 (2001). [CrossRef]
A. Korneev, V. Matvienko, O. Minaeva, I. Milostnaya, I. Rubtsova, G. Chulkova, K. Smirnov, V. Voronov, G. Gol’tsman, W. Slysz, A. Pearlman, A. Verevkin, and R. Sobolewski, “Quantum efficiency and noise equivalent power of nanostructured, NbN, single-photon detectors in the wavelength range from visible to infrared” IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. 15(2 PART I), 571–574 (2005). [CrossRef]
K. M. Rosfjord, J. K.W. Yang, E. A. Dauler, A. J. Kerman, V. Anant, B. M. Voronov, G. N. Gol’tsman, and K. K. Berggren, “Nanowire Single-photon detector with an integrated optical cavity and anti-reflection coating” Opt. Express 14(2), 527–534 (2006). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
K. Iizuka, K. Matsumaru, T. Suzuki, H. Hirose, K. Suzuki, and H. Okamoto, “Arsenic-free GaAs substrate preparation and direct growth of GaAs/AlGaAs multiple quantum well without buffer layer” J. Cryst. Growth 150(1-4 pt 1), 13–17 (1995). [CrossRef]
S. Miki, M. Fujiwara, M. Sasaki, and Z. Wang, “NbN superconducting single-photon detectors prepared on single-crystal MgO substrates” IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. 17(2), 285–288 (2007). [CrossRef]
2. Thin film deposition and device fabrication
D. D. Bacon, A. T. English, S. Nakahara, F. G. Peters, H. Schreiber, W. R. Sinclair, and R. B. van Dover, “PROPERTIES OF NbN THIN FILMS DEPOSITED ON AMBIENT TEMPERATURE SUBSTRATES” J. Appl. Phys. 54(11), 6509–6516 (1983). [CrossRef]
J. C. Villegier, L. Vieux-Rochaz, M. Goniche, P. Renard, and M. Vabre, “NbN TUNNEL JUNCTIONS” IEEE Trans. Mag. 21(2), 498–504 (1984). [CrossRef]
M. Benkahoul, E. Martinez, A. Karimi, R. Sanjinés, and F. Lévy, “Structural and mechanical properties of sputtered cubic and hexagonal NbNx thin films” Surf. Coat. Technol. 180–181, 178–183 (2004). [CrossRef]
H. C. Jones, “Some properties of granular thin films of high-field superconductors” Appl. Phys. Lett. 27(8), 471–473 (1975). [CrossRef]
D. D. Bacon, A. T. English, S. Nakahara, F. G. Peters, H. Schreiber, W. R. Sinclair, and R. B. van Dover, “PROPERTIES OF NbN THIN FILMS DEPOSITED ON AMBIENT TEMPERATURE SUBSTRATES” J. Appl. Phys. 54(11), 6509–6516 (1983). [CrossRef]
J. C. Villegier, L. Vieux-Rochaz, M. Goniche, P. Renard, and M. Vabre, “NbN TUNNEL JUNCTIONS” IEEE Trans. Mag. 21(2), 498–504 (1984). [CrossRef]
F. Mattioli, R. Leoni, A. Gaggero, M. G. Castellano, P. Carelli, F. Marsili, and A. Fiore, “Electrical characterization of superconducting single-photon detectors” J. Appl. Phys. 101(5), 054,302 (2007). [CrossRef]
3. Measurements
F. Mattioli, R. Leoni, A. Gaggero, M. G. Castellano, P. Carelli, F. Marsili, and A. Fiore, “Electrical characterization of superconducting single-photon detectors” J. Appl. Phys. 101(5), 054,302 (2007). [CrossRef]
W. J. Skocpol, M. R. Beasley, and M. Tinkham, “SELF-HEATING HOTSPOTS IN SUPERCONDUCTING THIN-FILM MICROBRIDGES” J. Appl. Phys. 45(9), 4054–4066 (1974). [CrossRef]
A. Verevkin, J. Zhang, R. Sobolewski, A. Lipatov, O. Okunev, G. Chulkova, A. Korneev, K. Smimov, G. N. Gol’tsman, and A. Semenov, “Detection efficiency of large-active-area NbN single-photon superconducting detectors in the ultraviolet to near-infrared range” Appl. Phys. Lett. 80(25), 4687 (2002). [CrossRef]
A. J. Miller, S.W. Nam, J. M. Martinis, and A. V. Sergienko, “Demonstration of a low-noise near-infrared photon counter with multiphoton discrimination” Appl. Phys. Lett. 83(4), 791–793 (2003). [CrossRef]
A. Korneev, V. Matvienko, O. Minaeva, I. Milostnaya, I. Rubtsova, G. Chulkova, K. Smirnov, V. Voronov, G. Gol’tsman, W. Slysz, A. Pearlman, A. Verevkin, and R. Sobolewski, “Quantum efficiency and noise equivalent power of nanostructured, NbN, single-photon detectors in the wavelength range from visible to infrared” IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. 15(2 PART I), 571–574 (2005). [CrossRef]
4. Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References and links
H. Takesue, S. W. Nam, Q. Zhang, R. H. Hadfield, T. Honjo, K. Tamaki, and Y. Yamamoto, “Quantum key distribution over a 40-dB channel loss using superconducting single-photon detectors” Nature Phot. 1(6), 343–348 (2007). [CrossRef] | |
G. N. Gol’tsman, O. Okunev, G. Chulkova, A. Lipatov, A. Semenov, K. Smirnov, B. Voronov, A. Dzardanov, C. Williams, and R. Sobolewski, “Picosecond superconducting single-photon optical detector” Appl. Phys. Lett. 79(6), 705–707 (2001). [CrossRef] | |
A. Korneev, V. Matvienko, O. Minaeva, I. Milostnaya, I. Rubtsova, G. Chulkova, K. Smirnov, V. Voronov, G. Gol’tsman, W. Slysz, A. Pearlman, A. Verevkin, and R. Sobolewski, “Quantum efficiency and noise equivalent power of nanostructured, NbN, single-photon detectors in the wavelength range from visible to infrared” IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. 15(2 PART I), 571–574 (2005). [CrossRef] | |
K. M. Rosfjord, J. K.W. Yang, E. A. Dauler, A. J. Kerman, V. Anant, B. M. Voronov, G. N. Gol’tsman, and K. K. Berggren, “Nanowire Single-photon detector with an integrated optical cavity and anti-reflection coating” Opt. Express 14(2), 527–534 (2006). [CrossRef] [PubMed] | |
K. Iizuka, K. Matsumaru, T. Suzuki, H. Hirose, K. Suzuki, and H. Okamoto, “Arsenic-free GaAs substrate preparation and direct growth of GaAs/AlGaAs multiple quantum well without buffer layer” J. Cryst. Growth 150(1-4 pt 1), 13–17 (1995). [CrossRef] | |
S. Miki, M. Fujiwara, M. Sasaki, and Z. Wang, “NbN superconducting single-photon detectors prepared on single-crystal MgO substrates” IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. 17(2), 285–288 (2007). [CrossRef] | |
D. D. Bacon, A. T. English, S. Nakahara, F. G. Peters, H. Schreiber, W. R. Sinclair, and R. B. van Dover, “PROPERTIES OF NbN THIN FILMS DEPOSITED ON AMBIENT TEMPERATURE SUBSTRATES” J. Appl. Phys. 54(11), 6509–6516 (1983). [CrossRef] | |
J. C. Villegier, L. Vieux-Rochaz, M. Goniche, P. Renard, and M. Vabre, “NbN TUNNEL JUNCTIONS” IEEE Trans. Mag. 21(2), 498–504 (1984). [CrossRef] | |
M. Benkahoul, E. Martinez, A. Karimi, R. Sanjinés, and F. Lévy, “Structural and mechanical properties of sputtered cubic and hexagonal NbNx thin films” Surf. Coat. Technol. 180–181, 178–183 (2004). [CrossRef] | |
H. C. Jones, “Some properties of granular thin films of high-field superconductors” Appl. Phys. Lett. 27(8), 471–473 (1975). [CrossRef] | |
F. Mattioli, R. Leoni, A. Gaggero, M. G. Castellano, P. Carelli, F. Marsili, and A. Fiore, “Electrical characterization of superconducting single-photon detectors” J. Appl. Phys. 101(5), 054,302 (2007). [CrossRef] | |
W. J. Skocpol, M. R. Beasley, and M. Tinkham, “SELF-HEATING HOTSPOTS IN SUPERCONDUCTING THIN-FILM MICROBRIDGES” J. Appl. Phys. 45(9), 4054–4066 (1974). [CrossRef] | |
A. Verevkin, J. Zhang, R. Sobolewski, A. Lipatov, O. Okunev, G. Chulkova, A. Korneev, K. Smimov, G. N. Gol’tsman, and A. Semenov, “Detection efficiency of large-active-area NbN single-photon superconducting detectors in the ultraviolet to near-infrared range” Appl. Phys. Lett. 80(25), 4687 (2002). [CrossRef] | |
A. J. Miller, S.W. Nam, J. M. Martinis, and A. V. Sergienko, “Demonstration of a low-noise near-infrared photon counter with multiphoton discrimination” Appl. Phys. Lett. 83(4), 791–793 (2003). [CrossRef] |
OCIS Codes
(040.3060) Detectors : Infrared
(040.3780) Detectors : Low light level
(040.5160) Detectors : Photodetectors
(320.7080) Ultrafast optics : Ultrafast devices
(320.7100) Ultrafast optics : Ultrafast measurements
(320.7085) Ultrafast optics : Ultrafast information processing
ToC Category:
Detectors
History
Original Manuscript: November 12, 2007
Revised Manuscript: January 24, 2008
Manuscript Accepted: January 30, 2008
Published: February 22, 2008
Citation
F. Marsili, D. Bitauld, A. Fiore, A. Gaggero, F. Mattioli, R. Leoni, M. Benkahoul, and F. Lévy, "High efficiency NbN nanowire superconducting single photon detectors fabricated on MgO substrates from a low temperature process," Opt. Express 16, 3191-3196 (2008)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-16-5-3191
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References
- H. Takesue, S. W. Nam, Q. Zhang, R. H. Hadfield, T. Honjo, K. Tamaki, and Y. Yamamoto, "Quantum key distribution over a 40-dB channel loss using superconducting single-photon detectors," Nature Phot. 1, 343- 348 (2007). [CrossRef]
- G. N. Goltsman, O. Okunev, G. Chulkova, A. Lipatov, A. Semenov, K. Smirnov, B. Voronov, A. Dzardanov, C. Williams, and R. Sobolewski, "Picosecond superconducting single-photon optical detector," Appl. Phys. Lett. 79, 705-707 (2001). [CrossRef]
- A. Korneev, V. Matvienko, O. Minaeva, I. Milostnaya, I. Rubtsova, G. Chulkova, K. Smirnov, V. Voronov, G. Gol’tsman,W. Slysz, A. Pearlman, A. Verevkin, and R. Sobolewski, "Quantum efficiency and noise equivalent power of nanostructured, NbN, single-photon detectors in the wavelength range from visible to infrared," IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. 15(2 PART I), 571-574 (2005). [CrossRef]
- K. M. Rosfjord, J. K. W. Yang, E. A. Dauler, A. J. Kerman, V. Anant, B. M. Voronov, G. N. Goltsman, and K. K. Berggren, "Nanowire Single-photon detector with an integrated optical cavity and anti-reflection coating," Opt. Express 14, 527-534 (2006). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- K. Iizuka, K. Matsumaru, T. Suzuki, H. Hirose, K. Suzuki, and H. Okamoto, "Arsenic-free GaAs substrate preparation and direct growth of GaAs/AlGaAs multiple quantum well without buffer layer," J. Cryst. Growth 150(1-4 pt 1), 13-17 (1995). [CrossRef]
- S. Miki, M. Fujiwara, M. Sasaki, and Z. Wang, "NbN superconducting single-photon detectors prepared on single-crystal MgO substrates," IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. 17, 285-288 (2007). [CrossRef]
- D. D. Bacon, A. T. English, S. Nakahara, F. G. Peters, H. Schreiber, W. R. Sinclair, and R. B. van Dover, "Properties of NbN thin films deposited on ambient temperature substrates," J. Appl. Phys. 54, 6509-6516 (1983). [CrossRef]
- J. C. Villegier, L. Vieux-Rochaz, M. Goniche, P. Renard, and M. Vabre, "NbN tunnel junctions," IEEE Trans. Mag. 21, 498-504 (1984). [CrossRef]
- M. Benkahoul, E. Martinez, A. Karimi, R. Sanjines, and F. Levy, "Structural and mechanical properties of sputtered cubic and hexagonal NbNx thin films," Surf. Coat. Technol. 180-181, 178-183 (2004). [CrossRef]
- H. C. Jones, "Some properties of granular thin films of high-field superconductors," Appl. Phys. Lett. 27, 471-473 (1975). [CrossRef]
- F. Mattioli, R. Leoni, A. Gaggero, M. G. Castellano, P. Carelli, F. Marsili, and A. Fiore, "Electrical characterization of superconducting single-photon detectors," J. Appl. Phys. 101, 054,302 (2007). [CrossRef]
- W. J. Skocpol, M. R. Beasley, and M. Tinkham, "SELF-HEATING HOTSPOTS IN SUPERCONDUCTING THIN-FILM MICROBRIDGES," J. Appl. Phys. 45, 4054-4066 (1974). [CrossRef]
- A. Verevkin, J. Zhang, R. Sobolewski, A. Lipatov, O. Okunev, G. Chulkova, A. Korneev, K. Smimov, G. N. Goltsman, and A. Semenov, "Detection efficiency of large-active-area NbN single-photon superconducting detectors in the ultraviolet to near-infrared range," Appl. Phys. Lett. 80, 4687 (2002). [CrossRef]
- A. J. Miller, S. W. Nam, J. M. Martinis, and A. V. Sergienko, "Demonstration of a low-noise near-infrared photon counter with multiphoton discrimination," Appl. Phys. Lett. 83, 791-793 (2003). [CrossRef]
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