Design of polarization-insensitive superconducting single photon detectors with high-index dielectrics

Abstract

In this paper, the design of superconducting-nanowire single-photon detectors which are insensitive to the polarization of the incident light is investigated. By using high-refractive-index dielectrics, the index mismatch between the nanowire and the surrounding media is reduced. This enhances the absorption of light with electric field vector perpendicular to the nanowire segments, which is generally hindered in this kind of detectors. Building on this principle and focusing on NbTiN nanowire devices, we present several easy-to-realize cavity architectures which allow high absorption efficiency (in excess of 90%) and polarization insensitivity simultaneously. Designs based on ultranarrow nanowires, for which the polarization sensitivity is much more marked, are also presented. Finally, we briefly discuss the specific advantages of this approach in the case of WSi or MoSi nanowires.

References in corpus (3)

• Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors: physics and applications
• Optical Properties of Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors
• Singlet oxygen luminescence detection with a fiber-coupled superconducting nanowire single-photon detector

Cited by in corpus (3)

• Broadband polarization insensitivity and high detection efficiency in high-fill-factor superconducting microwire single-photon detectors
• Enhancement of superconductivity in NbN nanowires by negative electron-beam lithography with positive resist
• Superconducting wide strip photon detector with high critical current bank structure