Proximity SQUID single photon detector via temperature-to-voltage conversion

Abstract

We propose a single photon detector based on a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) with superconductor-normal metal-superconductor Josephson weak links. One of the two Josephson junctions is connected to an antenna, and is heated when a photon is absorbed. The increase of the weak link temperature exponentially suppresses the Josephson critical current thereby inducing an asymmetry in the SQUID. This generates a voltage pulse across the SQUID that can be measured with a threshold detector. Realized with realistic parameters the device can be used as a single photon detector, and as a calorimeter since it is able to discriminate photons frequency above $5$THz with a signal-to-noise ratio larger than $20$. The detector performance are robust with respect to working temperatures between $0.1$ K and $0.5$K, and thermal noise perturbation.

8 pages, 6 figures. Updated version

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