Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marco Colangelo, Alexander B. Walter, Boris A. Korzh, Ekkehart Schmidt, Bruce Bumble, Adriana E. Lita, Andrew D. Beyer, Jason P. Allmaras, Ryan M. Briggs, Alexander G. Kozorezov, Emma E. Wollman, Matthew D. Shaw, Karl K. Berggren
Summary: The optimization of superconducting materials and the improvement of nanofabrication process have enabled the demonstration of large-area superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) with unity internal detection efficiency (IDE) in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) band. The approach yields large-area meanders with minimal line-width roughness and reduced impact from constrictions, paving the way for high-efficiency SNSPDs in the mid-IR band with potential impacts on astronomy, imaging, and physical chemistry.
Article
Physics, Applied
Jun-Tian Ye, Chao Yu, Wenwen Li, Zheng-Ping Li, Hai Lu, Rong Zhang, Jun Zhang, Feihu Xu, Jian-Wei Pan
Summary: We demonstrate photon-counting single-pixel imaging in the ultraviolet region using a 4H-SiC single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) as a high-performance compact single-photon detector. By developing a tailored readout circuit with active hold-off time, we restrain detector noise and operate the SPAD in the free-running mode. With structured illumination, we reconstruct compressed images at a 4 fps frame rate, demonstrating the capability of ultraviolet imaging applications.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Optics
Ya-Nan Zhao, Hong-Yun Hou, Jia-Cheng Han, Hong-Chao Liu, Su-Heng Zhang, De-Zhong Cao, Bao-Lai Liang
Summary: The study proposes a high-efficiency single-pixel imaging scheme that integrates time-correlated single-photon counting with time-division multiplexing to acquire full-color images and reconstruct high-quality images in a single measurement. Strategies such as single-step measurement, high-speed projection, and under-sampling can further improve imaging efficiency.
Article
Physics, Applied
M. Shcherbatenko, M. Elezov, N. Manova, K. Sedykh, A. Korneev, Yu Korneeva, M. Dryazgov, N. Simonov, A. Feimov, G. Goltsman, D. Sych
Summary: The study utilizes a single-pixel imaging approach to develop a single-photon sensitive detector, capable of capturing images at the single-photon level in the visible and near infrared spectrum.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Xu Ji, Kevin Treb, Ke Li
Summary: This work reports an experimentally observed edge enhancing effect in cadmium telluride-based photon counting detector systems. Through experimental measurements and theoretical modeling, it was found that the edge enhancing effect in the CS mode is related to pileup effects and negative correlations introduced by the CS circuit.
PHYSICS IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Kevin Treb, Jeff Radtke, Wesley S. Culberson, Ke Li
Summary: In photon counting detectors, the accumulation of electric pulses induced by multiple x-ray photons can lead to count losses. This study introduces an inexpensive readout circuit element to collect time-integrated charge to correct for pile-up-induced count losses. Experimental results demonstrate that this correction method can restore the count accuracy of paralyzable photon counting detectors, without impacting the spatial resolution of the images.
PHYSICS IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Optics
Kun Huang, Yinqi Wang, Jianan Fang, Weiyan Kang, Ying Sun, Yan Liang, Qiang Hao, Ming Yan, Heping Zeng
Summary: This study demonstrated a mid-infrared frequency upconversion detector with high efficiency and low noise equivalent power. The detector not only enables photon counting, but also allows for photon-number-resolving detection at mid-infrared wavelengths, opening up new possibilities in trace molecule spectroscopy, sensitive biochemical sensing, and free-space communications.
PHOTONICS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lingdong Kong, Qingyuan Zhao, Hui Wang, Jiawei Guo, Haiyangbo Lu, Hao Hao, Shuya Guo, Xuecou Tu, Labao Zhang, Xiaoqing Jia, Lin Kang, Xinglong Wu, Jian Chen, Peiheng Wu
Summary: The spectrometer without wavelength multiplexing optics reduces complexity and physical footprint, achieving broadband spectral responsivity and high resolution. Additionally, precise time-of-flight measurements enable multifunctional LiDAR systems.
Article
Optics
Bingxin Chen, Hong Pan, Liping Zhu, Hongtao Xu, Hengliang Wang, Lijian Zhang, Xiaomi Yan, Chiyuan Ma, Xuguang Xu, Wei Lu, Zhenghua An, Yanru Song
Summary: Superconducting photodetection offers wide spectral coverage and single photon sensitivity, but the detection efficiency is low in the longer wavelength infrared range. By using a superconducting metamaterial, we achieved nearly perfect absorption at dual color infrared wavelengths and enhanced light coupling efficiency. Our infrared detector demonstrated peak responsivity of 1.2 x 106 V/W and 3.2 x 106 V/W at two resonant frequencies, significantly higher than the non-resonant frequency. This work provides a way to improve the sensitivity of superconducting photodetectors in the infrared range.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Huiqin Hu, Xinyi Ren, Zhaoyang Wen, Xingtong Li, Yan Liang, Ming Yan, E. Wu
Summary: The study introduces and experimentally demonstrates single-pixel photon counting imaging based on dual-comb interferometry at 1550 nm. Unlike traditional approaches, this method allows imaging in the photon-counting regime using single-photon detectors and a time-correlated single-photon counter. With low illumination power and high lateral resolution, this technique opens up new possibilities for remote sensing and imaging applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alessandro Prencipe, Samuel Gyger, Mohammad Amin Baghban, Julien Zichi, Katharina D. Zeuner, Thomas Lettner, Lucas Schweickert, Stephan Steinhauer, Ali W. Elshaari, Katia Gallo, Val Zwiller
Summary: This study reports on the implementation of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors on thin film lithium niobate ridge nano-waveguides, which shows great potential for on-chip quantum optics experiments.
Article
Optics
Jingyuan Zheng, You Xiao, Mingzhong Hu, Yuchen Zhao, Hao Li, Lixing You, Xue Feng, Fang Liu, Kaiyu Cui, Yidong Huang, Wei Zhang
Summary: In this work, a photon counting reconstructive spectrometer combining metasurfaces and superconducting nano-wire single-photon detectors is proposed. The prototype device fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator substrate supports spectral reconstruction of mono-color lights with a resolution of 2 nm in the wavelength region of 1500-1600 nm. The experiment results demonstrate its potential to be applied in scenarios requiring real-time measurement.
PHOTONICS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
Reza Baghdadi, Ekkehart Schmidt, Saman Jahani, Ilya Charaev, Michael G. W. Mueller, Marco Colangelo, Di Zhu, Konstantin Ilin, Alexej D. Semenov, Zubin Jacob, Michael Siegel, Karl K. Berggren
Summary: The paper introduces a new concept of variable thickness SNSPD to reduce the impact of current crowding effect at bends. By locally increasing the thickness at turns, this design allows the SNSPD to have higher critical current, improved detection efficiency, and decreased dark count rate compared to a standard uniform thickness SNSPD with the same geometry and film quality.
SUPERCONDUCTOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Physics, Applied
Federico Paolucci
Summary: We present and analyze the performance of a nonlocal superconducting single-photon detector that operates based on energy-to-phase conversion mechanism. The device is designed as a double-loop S-N-S Josephson interferometer, with detection occurring in a long S-N-S junction and readout operated by a short S-N-S junction. By measuring the variation of superconducting phase across the readout junction, the detector is capable of revealing single photons down to 10 GHz frequency when operated at 10 mK. Moreover, the device achieves a signal-to-noise ratio of up to 10^4 in the range from 10 GHz to 10 THz through selection of magnetic flux and bias voltage.
PHYSICAL REVIEW APPLIED
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Filippo Cademartiri, Antonella Meloni, Laura Pistoia, Giulia Degiorgi, Alberto Clemente, Carmelo De Gori, Vincenzo Positano, Simona Celi, Sergio Berti, Michele Emdin, Daniele Panetta, Luca Menichetti, Bruna Punzo, Carlo Cavaliere, Eduardo Bossone, Luca Saba, Riccardo Cau, Ludovico La Grutta, Erica Maffei
Summary: Photon-counting detector (PCD) is a novel computed tomography detector technology that has many advantages in the neurovascular field, such as increased spatial resolution, reduced radiation exposure, and optimization of contrast agents and material decomposition. This overview of literature on PCCT describes the principles, advantages, and disadvantages of conventional detectors and PCDs, and focuses specifically on its implementation in the neurovascular field.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Francesco Mattioli, Sara Cibella, Alessandro Gaggero, Francesco Martini, Roberto Leoni
Summary: This study discusses the applications of NbN-based detectors in different light regimes, and introduces a novel linear detector HEB. By being compatible with SNSPDs technology, it enables the characterization of complex non-classical states of light within the same chip.
Article
Optics
F. Martini, S. Cibella, A. Gaggero, F. Mattioli, R. Leoni
Summary: The study on hot electron bolometers (HEBs) fabricated on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) photonic circuits shows high responsivities and record noise equivalent temperatures, providing new possibilities for the development of photonic quantum processors.
Review
Astronomy & Astrophysics
S. Orsini, S. A. Livi, H. Lichtenegger, S. Barabash, A. Milillo, E. De Angelis, M. Phillips, G. Laky, M. Wieser, A. Olivieri, C. Plainaki, G. Ho, R. M. Killen, J. A. Slavin, P. Wurz, J. -J. Berthelier, I. Dandouras, E. Kallio, S. McKenna-Lawlor, S. Szalai, K. Torkar, O. Vaisberg, F. Allegrini, I. A. Daglis, C. Dong, C. P. Escoubet, S. Fatemi, M. Fraenz, S. Ivanovski, N. Krupp, H. Lammer, Francois Leblanc, V. Mangano, A. Mura, H. Nilsson, J. M. Raines, R. Rispoli, M. Sarantos, H. T. Smith, K. Szego, A. Aronica, F. Camozzi, A. M. Di Lellis, G. Fremuth, F. Giner, R. Gurnee, J. Hayes, H. Jeszenszky, F. Tominetti, B. Trantham, J. Balaz, W. Baumjohann, D. Brienza, U. Buehrke, M. D. Bush, M. Cantatore, S. Cibella, L. Colasanti, G. Cremonese, L. Cremonesi, M. D'Alessandro, D. Delcourt, M. Delva, M. Desai, M. Fama, M. Ferris, H. Fischer, A. Gaggero, D. Gamborino, P. Garnier, W. C. Gibson, R. Goldstein, M. Grande, V. Grishin, D. Haggerty, M. Holmstrom, I. Horvath, K. -C. Hsieh, A. Jacques, R. E. Johnson, A. Kazakov, K. Kecskemety, H. Krueger, C. Kuerbisch, F. Lazzarotto, Frederic Leblanc, M. Leichtfried, R. Leoni, A. Loose, D. Maschietti, S. Massetti, F. Mattioli, G. Miller, D. Moissenko, A. Morbidini, R. Noschese, F. Nuccilli, C. Nunez, N. Paschalidis, S. Persyn, D. Piazza, M. Oja, J. Ryno, W. Schmidt, J. A. Scheer, A. Shestakov, S. Shuvalov, K. Seki, S. Selci, K. Smith, R. Sordini, J. Svensson, L. Szalai, D. Toublanc, C. Urdiales, A. Varsani, N. Vertolli, R. Wallner, P. Wahlstroem, P. Wilson, S. Zampieri
Summary: The ESA-JAXA BepiColombo mission to Mercury involves two spacecraft making simultaneous measurements to study magnetospheric and exospheric particle dynamics at Mercury and their interactions with various cosmic elements. The particle instrument suite SERENA on board the BepiColombo Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) consists of four sensors and is the only instrument for ion and neutral particle detection on the MPO. The scientific goals, detailed units, features, calibration results, and operational activities of SERENA are described in this study.
SPACE SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
D. Salvoni, L. Parlato, M. Ejrnaes, F. Mattioli, A. Gaggero, F. Martini, A. Boselli, A. Sannino, S. Amoruso, R. Cristiano, G. P. Pepe
Summary: In this work, the fabrication and characterization results of a large area Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detector (SNSPD) are presented. A particular geometry was adopted to enhance its coupling with the Lidar system MALIA, which is used for atmospheric aerosols observations from ultraviolet to infrared. The devices realized in this study are very promising due to their very low dead time despite the large sensitive area.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON APPLIED SUPERCONDUCTIVITY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
F. Chiarello, D. Alesini, D. Babusci, C. Barone, M. M. Beretta, B. Buonomo, A. DaElia, D. Di Gioacchino, G. Felici, G. Filatrella, L. G. Foggetta, A. Gallo, C. Gatti, C. Ligi, G. Maccarrone, F. Mattioli, S. Pagano, L. Piersanti, A. Rettaroli, S. Tocci, G. Torrioli
Summary: There is a growing interest in the detection of single microwave photons due to the search for light dark matter and the development of quantum technologies. This study presents an experimental investigation of a resonantly activated Josephson junction for detecting microwave photons. The results provide insights for optimizing the design of a single microwave-photon detector.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON APPLIED SUPERCONDUCTIVITY
(2022)
Article
Physics, Applied
D. Salvoni, M. Ejrnaes, A. Gaggero, F. Mattioli, F. Martini, H. G. Ahmad, L. Di Palma, R. Satariano, X. Y. Yang, L. You, F. Tafuri, G. P. Pepe, D. Massarotti, D. Montemurro, L. Parlato
Summary: Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) have attracted interest for their high performance in the infrared, but the mechanism behind their detection is unclear. This study investigates the role of vortices in 2D molybdenum silicide SNSPDs and compares devices made from different materials.
PHYSICAL REVIEW APPLIED
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Agostino Occhicone, Raffaella Polito, Francesco Michelotti, Michele Ortolani, Leonetta Baldassarre, Marialilia Pea, Alberto Sinibaldi, Andrea Notargiacomo, Sara Cibella, Francesco Mattioli, Pascale Roy, Jean-Blaise Brubach, Paolo Calvani, Alessandro Nucara
Summary: The growing need for new surface sensing methods has led to interest in the electromagnetic excitations of ultrathin films. Bloch surface waves (BSW) have been found to be a valid alternative to surface plasmon polaritons for high-sensitivity sensors in the visible spectral range. In this work, we demonstrate the first infrared BSWs at cryogenic temperatures using a one-dimensional photonic crystal. Additionally, we show that the proposed BSW-based sensor has a high sensitivity for detecting nanometer-thick ice layers. Bloch surface wave-based sensors are a new class of surface mode-based sensors with potential applications in materials science.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Physics, Applied
L. Parlato, D. Salvoni, M. Ejrnaes, F. Mattioli, A. Gaggero, F. Martini, D. Massarotti, D. Montemurro, R. Satariano, R. Ferraiuolo, F. Chianese, F. Tafuri, R. Cristiano, G. P. Pepe
Summary: This study aims to test the feasibility of using superconducting microstrips as single photon detectors and compares them with superconducting nanostrips. The results demonstrate that superconducting microstrips can function as photon detectors at 4.2K and have lower noise compared to nanowires.
JOURNAL OF LOW TEMPERATURE PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Fang Ou, Anne van Klinken, Petar Sevo, Maurangelo Petruzzella, Chenhui Li, Don M. J. van Elst, Kaylee D. Hakkel, Francesco Pagliano, Rene P. J. van Veldhoven, Andrea Fiore
Summary: Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has been a valuable tool for material analysis, but traditional spectrometers are not suitable for portable use. This study demonstrates a handheld NIR spectral sensor module and evaluates its performance in moisture quantification and plastic type classification. The results show promising potential for compact NIR modules in various NIR sensing applications.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Alessandro D'Elia, Alessio Rettaroli, Simone Tocci, Danilo Babusci, Carlo Barone, Matteo Beretta, Bruno Buonomo, Fabio Chiarello, Nassim Chikhi, Daniele Di Gioacchino, Giulietto Felici, Giovanni Filatrella, Mikhail Fistul, Luca Foggetta, Claudio Gatti, Evgeni Il'ichev, Carlo Ligi, Mikhail Lisitskiy, Giovanni Maccarrone, Francesco Mattioli, Gregor Oelsner, Sergio Pagano, Luca Piersanti, Berardo Ruggiero, Guido Torrioli, Alexandre Zagoskin
Summary: Axions detection requires ultimate sensitivity and extremely low dark-count rate. This article introduces two approaches based on superconducting devices using the Josephson effect, one using a single Josephson junction as a switching detector, and the other using two resonators coupled via a superconducting qubit network.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON APPLIED SUPERCONDUCTIVITY
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
Enrico Talamas Simola, Michele Montanari, Cedric Corley-Wiciak, Luciana Di Gaspare, Luca Persichetti, Marvin H. Zoellner, Markus A. Schubert, Tommaso Venanzi, Marina Cagnon Trouche, Michele Ortolani, Francesco Mattioli, Gianfranco Sfuncia, Giuseppe Nicotra, Giovanni Capellini, Michele Virgilio, Monica De Seta
Summary: This article investigates the technique for controlling heteroepitaxial growth at the subnanometer scale. Through structural investigation, THz spectroscopy absorption experiments, and numerical simulations, it is shown that the optimized deposition process can produce high-quality heterostructures with precise control of dopant atom position, layer thickness, and composition. This technique is crucial for the deposition of integrated THz devices and other complex quantum structures based on the Ge/SiGe material system.
PHYSICAL REVIEW APPLIED
(2023)
Article
Optics
G. Torrioli, A. Forrer, M. Beck, P. Carelli, F. Chiarello, J. Faist, A. Gaggero, E. Giovine, F. Martini, U. Senica, R. Leoni, G. Scalari, S. Cibella
Summary: We investigate the performance of a hot-electron bolometer (HEB) operating at THz frequencies by employing superconducting niobium nitride films. We present the voltage response of the detector, measured with different THz sources, over a wide electrical detection bandwidth. Our results reveal that the impulse response of the fully packaged HEB at 7.5 K exhibits a 3 dB cutoff at around 2 GHz. Notably, the detection capability is still observed above 30 GHz in a heterodyne beating experiment utilizing a THz quantum cascade laser frequency comb. Additionally, we evaluate the HEB sensitivity and measure an optical noise equivalent power (NEP) of 0.8 pW/√Hz at 1 MHz.
Article
Optics
Anne van Klinken, Don M. J. van Elst, Chenhui Li, Maurangelo Petruzzella, Kaylee D. D. Hakkel, Fang Ou, Francesco Pagliano, Rene van Veldhoven, Andrea Fiore
Summary: Spectral sensing is a rapidly developing field that focuses on fast and non-invasive chemical analysis of materials in various fields. The study presented a near-infrared spectral sensor with high responsivity, narrow linewidth, and low noise. The sensor consists of 16 resonant-cavity-enhanced photodetectors, each showing a unique spectral response with narrow peaks. The research also proposed a simple and scalable fabrication approach for the detector arrays, resulting in improved device characteristics.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
L. Picelli, P. J. van Veldhoven, E. Verhagen, A. Fiore
Summary: By controlling the current and measuring the voltage via fibre, a hybrid electronic-photonic sensor located on the tip of a fibre can be used as an electrical sensor with optical readout. This sensor combines the sensitivity and flexibility of electronic sensors with the advantages of optical readout, demonstrating the possibility of reading the current-voltage characteristics of the electro-optic diode through the fibre. It allows fibre-optic sensing to utilize various electrical sensing modalities for different measurements.
NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Mildred S. Cano-Velazquez, Arthur L. Hendriks, Luca Picelli, Rene P. J. van Veldhoven, Andrea Fiore
Summary: In this study, we demonstrate fiber optic sensors with temperature compensation for accurate measurement of ethanol concentration in aqueous solutions. The sensors consist of two photonic crystal fiber-tip sensors, one for measuring ethanol concentration and the other for independent measurement of temperature. By combining the information from the two sensors, the effect of temperature on concentration measurement can be compensated for, resulting in more accurate estimations of ethanol concentration.
