Researchers at NIST have developed a new system to read out measurements from single-photon detectors using kinetic inductance current sensors (KICS). This new system is faster and more compact than previous methods using superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs), allowing it to read signals from thousands of detectors simultaneously.
The KICS system works by measuring changes in the resonant frequency of a superconducting device when current pulses from the detectors pass through. This method reduces electronic noise and eliminates the need for continuous current supply, improving accuracy. The new system could enable more advanced applications in quantum computing, imaging, and DNA sequencing by providing faster, more sensitive detection of individual photons.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2024/12/just-kics
Keywords: Transition Edge Sensors (TES), Single-photon detectors, Kinetic Inductance Current Sensor (KICS), Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID), Quantum Metrology
