Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a new superconducting nanowire detector that captures more quantum information from individual photons. The detector, made from molybdenum silicide, reduces “jitter” or uncertainty in photon arrival times by 74 picoseconds, allowing for higher bit rates and more reliable communication of faint quantum signals.
The new design improves upon NIST’s previous tungsten-silicon alloy material by operating at higher temperatures and higher electrical currents, while maintaining high efficiency and low dark counts. The detector is embedded in a gold cavity to enhance light absorption and efficiency, achieving 87% efficiency at telecommunications wavelengths.
This advancement supports NIST’s contributions to quantum information science and the development of next-generation sensors. The detectors are used in various experiments worldwide and were fabricated in NIST Boulder’s microfabrication facility.
Keywords: photons, superconducting, nanowires, jitter, detectors
