Work

Drone-based superconducting nanowire single-photon detection system with a detection efficiency of more than 90%

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Conventional superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) have been typically limited in their applications due to their size, weight, and power consumption, which confine their use to laboratory settings. However, with the rapid development of remote imaging, sensing technologies, and long-range quantum communication with fewer topographical constraints, the demand for high-efficiency single-photon detectors integrated with avionic platforms is rapidly growing. We herein designed and manufactured the first drone-based SNSPD system with a system detection efficiency (SDE) as high as 91.8%. This drone-based system incorporates high-performance NbTiN SNSPDs, a self-developed miniature liquid helium dewar, and custom-built integrated electrical setups, making it capable of being launched in complex topographical conditions. Such a drone-based SNSPD system may open the use of SNSPDs for applications that demand high SDE in complex environments.

Source: Advanced Photonics Nexus

DOI: 10.1117/1.apn.4.2.026003

Authors: Ruoyan Ma, Zhimin Guo, Dai Chen, Xiaojun Dai, You Xiao, Chengjun Zhang, Jiamin Xiong, Jia Huang, Xingyu Zhang, Xingyu Zhang, Xiaoyu Liu, Liangliang Rong, Hao Li, Xiaofu Zhang, Xiaofu Zhang, Lixing You

Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology

Language: English

Topic: Superconducting and THz Device Technology

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4407551771

FWCI: 4.519

Cites:

Cited by: 10

Related to: 10