Electrical characterization of superconducting single-photon detectors

• DOI: 10.1063/1.2709527
• Publication Date: 2007-03-04T03:00:06Z
• Authors: F. Mattioli; R. Leoni; A. Gaggero; M. G. Castellano; P. Carelli; F. Marsili; A. Fiore
• Keywords: Meander (mathematics); Characterization

Superconducting meanders of NbN thin films have applications as single-photon detectors with high sensitivity in the infrared region. We report here a detailed analysis electrical characteristics such meanders, by studying structures where each wire meander is separately contacted. The effect heating on superconducting-normal transition adjacent stripes evidenced. Moreover, switching current distribution highlights high-critical uniformity achieved our process.