We study the reset dynamics of niobium (Nb) superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) using experimental measurements and numerical simulations. The simulations detection agree well with measurements, independently determined parameters in find that if photon-induced hotspot cools too slowly, device will latch into a dc resistive state. To avoid latching, time for to cool must be short compared inductive constant governs resetting current after formation. From energy...

Superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs) have been realized using an innovative parallel wire configuration. This configuration allows, at the same time, a large detection area and fast response, with additional advantage of signal amplitudes. The thoroughly characterized in terms properties (amplitude, risetime falltime), detector operation (latching not latching) quantum efficiency (at 850 nm). It has shown that SNSPD is able to provide significantly higher maximum count...

The ability to detect individual light quanta – single photons is prized across many fields of physics from astronomy quantum optics. Superconducting photon detectors offer exceptional performance in terms sensitivity, spectral range and timing resolution. In this review, we introduce the underlying absorption superconducting devices. We then present detailed case studies contemporary detector technologies for counting at visible infrared wavelengths. conclude with a perspective on future...

Superconducting stripline detectors (SSLDs) are promising for detecting keV molecules at nanosecond response times and with mass-independent detection efficiency. However, a fast time is incompatible practical centimeter detector size. A parallel configuration of striplines provides means to address this problem. Experimental results simulation promisingly large 1-mm-square niobium SSLDs show that pulses produced by superconducting-normal transition within only one the instead cascade...

We study the flux flow state in superconducting materials characterized by rather strong intrinsic pinning, such as Nb, NbN, and nanostructured Al thin films, which we drag dissipative into normal current biasing. modify vortex pinning strength either ion irradiation, tuning measuring temperature or including artificial centers. measure critical voltages for all same effect is observed: switching to low dissipations at fields an intermediate regime. This mechanism offers a way additionally...

The electrochemical gating technique is a powerful tool to tune the \textit{surface} electronic conduction properties of various materials by means pure charge doping, but its efficiency thought be hampered in with good screening. We show that, if applied metallic superconductor (NbN thin films), this approach allows observing reversible enhancements or suppressions \emph{bulk} superconducting transition temperature, which vary thickness films. These results are interpreted terms proximity...

A large-area (200×200 μm2) superconducting stripline detector based on a parallel configuration of Nb nanowires is presented. We show that the provides smart way to control physical nonequilibrium state induced by molecular impacts, which allows realizing large sensitive area and subnanosecond response at same time. The experiments were carried out with ions radiation in keV energy range. observed rise time was below 400 ps relaxation 500 ps, best this class detectors.

We present measurements of ferromagnet/superconductor (NiCu/NbN) and plain superconducting (NbN) nanostripes with the linewidth ranging from 150 to 300 nm. The NiCu (3 nm)/NbN (8 nm) bilayers, as compared NbN nm), showed a up six times increase in their critical current density, reaching at 4.2 K values 5.5 MA/cm2 for nm wide nanostripe meander 12.1 one. also observed six-time sensitivity enhancement when NiCu/NbN was used an optical detector. strong is explained by vortex pinning strength...

Fast detectors with large area are required in time-of-flight mass spectrometers for high throughput analysis of biological molecules. We fabricated and characterized subnanosecond 1×1 mm2 NbN superconducting strip-line detectors. The influence the thickness on temporal characteristics efficiency detector impacts keV accelerated molecules is investigated. find that increase improves both response time. In thicker sample we achieved a rise time 380 ps, fall 1.38 ns, higher count rate. physics...

An analysis of different strategies for increasing the maximum count rate superconducting single photon detectors using parallel nanowires is performed with particular emphasis on expected behaviour when detector area increased. We find that a serial connection blocks nanowires, decreases square root area, whereas it proportional to current meandered detectors. Using this design we estimate signal pulse falltime 7.8 ns 84 × µm2 based material parameters should be obtainable. argue slow...

We review progress in the development and applications of superconducting nano-strip particle detectors. Particle detectors based on nano-strips stem from parent devices developed for single photon detection (SSPD) share with them ultra-fast response times (sub-nanosecond) ability to operate at a relatively high temperature (2–5 K) compared other cryogenic SSPDs have been used electrons, neutral charged ions, biological macromolecules; nevertheless, has mainly driven by their use...

We investigate the timing jitter in parallel superconducting NbN-nanowire single photon detectors based on a cascade switch mechanism. The measured is asymmetric and has an oscillatory dependence bias current. At highest current full width at half maximum was 1.5 times larger than on-chip reference meander NbN nanowire. A physical model of dynamics occurring during developed, that quantitatively accounts for our observations as consequence different nanowire critical currents within detector.

Superconducting detectors based on parallel microscopic strip-lines are promising candidates for single molecule detection in time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The device physics of this configuration is complex. In letter, we employ nano-optical techniques to study the variation current density, count rate, and pulse amplitude transversely across strip device. Using phenomenological London theory, able correlate our results a non-uniform distribution between strips, governed by magnetic...

We present the fabrication and characterization of latest generation superconducting strip-line detectors (SSLD) for application in time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF MS) heavy molecules. The SSLD is realized parallel configuration to achieve a 2 × mm2 sensitive area. mounted TOF MS tested at 4.2 K under bombardment lysozyme detector exhibits output pulses with rise fall times 500 ps 2.3 ns respectively. also measurements time evolution during acquisition singly doubly charged monomers...

The device physics of parallel-wire superconducting nanowire single photon detectors is based on a cascade process. Using nano-optical techniques and parallel wire with spatially separate pixels, we explicitly demonstrate the single- multi-photon triggering regimes. We develop model for describing efficiency detector operating in arm-trigger regime. investigate timing response when illuminating pixel two pixels. see change active area between regimes find two-pixel trigger regime to have...

We report an experimental investigation that shows how magnetic vortices are generated and cross a current carrying superconducting strip when illuminated by bright (\ensuremath{\sim}MeV) fast (500 ps duration) infrared light pulse. The work has been carried out using strike-and-probe electro-optic technique on device consisting of parallel configuration, with wide spacing between the strips to allow interaction photons single strip. find hitting one induce collective redistribution in...

We present time-resolved measurements of fast hotspots in superconducting nanowires that allow a direct visualization the hotspot evolution. The were made possible exploiting an innovative parallel nanowire configuration. measure lifetime is independent bias current and width. observe expansion slower than its relaxation time delay on order 1 ns occurs between maximum power dissipation rate. was found to increase with increasing it decreases slightly for wider hotspots. On basis observed...

A superconducting 3-terminal device based on NbN ultra-thin nano-strips has been realized. The is capable of pulse discrimination and shaping provides power gain with standard 50 Ω input output impedance. It operates at 4.2 K well suited for the realization interfaces digital circuits as readout cryogenic detectors. Successful integrated a nano-strip single photon detectors reported.

The authors present superconducting single photon detectors (SSPDs) based on parallel nanostrips with an area up to 40 × μm2. SSPDs presented here are 100 nm wide ultrathin NbN a filling factor of 40%. devices fabricated by extending the standard electron beam lithography (EBL) patterning process those densely structured large areas. By thorough characterization it is shown that electrical properties comparable smaller devices, as expected, proving in this way extended EBL results uniform...