Photon Detector

New Products

Photon Detector

Superconducting Single Photon Detector (SSPD)

We offer superconducting single photon detectors (SSPD) and ultra-low noise single-photon registration systems for the visible and near infrared range. All systems operate in a continuous mode (no gating).The system is based on fiber-coupled NbN superconducting single photon detectors and can have several independent channels (up to 4). For operation superconducting detectors need cryogenic temperatures, and we offer two types of cooling systems:

1) Liquid Helium (LHe) based system

The system is designed as a cryogenic insert placed inside a standard LHe Dewar. That allows the use of the superconducting detectors without the need for expensive special cryogenic equipment. The LHe storage Dewar, filled with 100 liters of helium, allows up to 2 months of uninterrupted operation of the system. The main advantage of the system is higher quantum efficiency. There are detection systems available for two spectral ranges

Type of Registration System

Spectral range

Quantum efficiency

Type 2^*

2 A

0.9-1.7 �m

≥ 22% at λ=1.0-1.2 �m

≥ 20% at λ=1.31 �m

≥ 16% at λ=1.55 �m

2 B

0.6-1.7 �m

≥ 25% at λ=0.7-1.1 �m

≥ 14% at λ=1.31 �m

≥ 10% at λ=1.55 �m

Main dimensions of cryogenic insert: height � 1100 mm, diameter � 30 mm.

2) Cryogenic-free System

The closed-cycle refrigerator is a cryogenic-free cooling system which does not use liquid helium (the operating temperature is 2.5K). This type of detection system would be ideal for those who want to avoid handling with liquid helium. A particular advantage is that closed-cycle refrigerators can operate continuously for months from just an electrical power source. This makes long-term experiments possible. There are detection systems available for two spectral ranges:

Type of Registration System

Spectral range

Quantum efficiency

Type 1^*

1 A

0.9-1.7 �m

≥ 20% at λ=1.0-1.2 �m

≥ 15% at λ=1.31 �m

≥ 12% at λ=1.55 �m

1 B

0.6-1.7 �m

≥ 18% at λ=0.7-1.1 �m

≥ 10% at λ=1.31 �m

≥ 7% at λ=1.55 �m

Element/Parameter	Closed-cycle refrigerator	Compressor	Control Unit
Weight, kg	25	75	1
Length x width x height	240x240x580mm	450x320x560mm	240x260x140mm
Preparation time	150 min	-	-
Maintenance, hours	10,000	30,000	0
Power consumption	1.5kW*		30W*

*Voltage of control unit and compressor: 100-240 V/ 50-60 Hz (can be adapted to any other standard networks)

System Characteristics

System Specifications	General Parameters
Timing jitter: <= 50ps	Number of channels: 1-4
Dark counts rate: <=10cps	Fiber: SMF 28e
Counting rate: >= 100MHz (Dead time <=10ns)	Original output voltage: 150mV
No afterpulsing	Possible types of output voltage: TTL, ECL, LVDS
Fiber Coupling (no misalignment)	Electrical connection: SMA
Operation in a continuous mode (no grating)	Driver interface: USB, LabVIEW

Type of System

System Components

LHe System

�Low temperature double wall dipstick with Cryogenic Insert:

�One / Two / Four single mode optical fibers (SMF 28e) with FC connectors;

�One / Two / Four coaxial cables with SMA connectors;

�Pressure transducer and temperature sensor;

�One / Two / Four fiber coupled superconducting detectors.

�Control Unit:

� One / Two / Four -channel precision DC-bias source for superconducting detectors;

�Temperature and pressure measuring unit;

�One / Two / Four Bias-T adapters;

�One / Two / Four amplifying chains;

�Set of connecting cables and SMA connectors;

�Power supply.

�Vacuum system:

�Oil pump;

�Pressure regulating system;

�Set of vacuum hoses and clamps.

�Adapter for Helium Dewar (DN-50 or other);

�Operation manual.

Cryogen-free System

�Closed cycle refrigerator (SUMITOMO, series SRDK 101 or other):

�One / Two / Four hermetical FC/PC-FC/PC adapters;

�One / Two / Four CuNi coaxial cables with SMA connectors;

�One / Two / Four hermetical SMA female � SMA female adaptors;

�Temperature sensor (1.4-300 K);

�One / Two / Four fiber coupled superconducting detectors in holders with singlemode optical fibers.

�Control Unit:

� One / Two / Four -channel precision DC-bias source for superconducting detectors;

�One / Two / Four Bias-T adapters;

�One / Two / Four amplifying chains;

�Set of connecting cables and SMA connectors;

�Power supply.

�Temperature monitor.

�Compressor.

�Operation manual.

Possible applications:

l Photonic quantum computing

l Photon correlation measurements

l Quantum cryptography

l Free space communication

l LIDAR

l Time-resolved fluorescence measurements

l Picosecond Integrated Circuits analysis (PICA)

l Single quantum dot/molecule fluorescence spectroscopy

l Registration of extra low IR photon flux

l Optical tomography

Advantages:

l Operation in the visible and infrared ranges (overlapping unavailable for the APD range);

l Operation in a continuous mode;

l No afterpulsing;

l Very low level of dark counts (below 10 cps)

l Picosecond time resolution;

l High quantum efficiency (up to 25%);

l One, two, or multi-channel systems are available;

l Standard single-mode fiber input;

l Easy to integrate with LabView and other standard environment;

l Full-support service (installation, operation training, technical support);

l Optimization of receiver system characteristics to the customer needs.

Terahertz Detection System

The Terahertz detection systems are optimized for three frequency ranges, which cover the overall range of 0.3-70 THz. The system incorporates a MoRe/NbN Superconducting Hot-Electron Bolometer (SHEB) mounted on a silicon/germanium lens and low-noise cryogenically cooled high electron mobility field-effect transistors (HEMT) amplifier. We offer the fastest Terahertz receivers, which have a sensitivity comparable with the best detection systems available today

Type 1, 1a: Hybrid antenna (�12 mm silicon hyperhemispherical lens and logarithmic periodic spiral antenna)

Type		1	1a
Frequency range, THz		0.3-3
Upper level of dynamic range, �W (3dB compression point)		0.1
Noise equivalent power (NEP), WHz^-1/2		5-7x10^-14	3-5x10^-13
Responsivity, V/W (own HEB characteristic)		~10,000	~ 3,000
!Response time, ns		1	0.05
Sensitive material		MoRe	NbN
Bandwidth of HEMT amplifier, MHz		0.01-200	1-3500
Maximum power handling capacity		50 �W
Input beam	Max diameter	10 mm
	Beam pattern	F/3 to F/∞ (collimated beam)

Type 2, 2a: Silicon lens (�12mm or �4mm silicon hyperhemispherical lens)

Type		2	2a
Frequency range, THz		1-12 (40)
Upper level of dynamic range, �W (3dB compression point)		50
Noise equivalent power (NEP), WHz^-1/2		1-2x10^-11	6-8x10^-11
Sensitivity, V/W (own HEB characteristic)		~ 300	~ 100
!Response time, ns		1	0.1
Sensitive material		MoRe	NbN
Bandwidth of HEMT amplifier, MHz		0.01-200	1-3,500
Maximum power handling capacity		10 mW
Input beam	Max diameter	10 mm (3 mm)
	Beam pattern	F/3 to F/∞ (collimated beam)

Type 3, 3a: Germanium lens (�12 mm germanium hyperhemispherical lens)

Type		3	3a
Frequency range, THz		25-70
Upper level of dynamic range, �W (3dB compression point)		2
Noise equivalent power (NEP), WHz^-1/2		1-2x10^-12	4-5x10^-12
Responsivity, V/W (own HEB characteristic)		~ 2,000	~ 500
!Response time, ns		1	0.1
Sensitive material		MoRe	NbN
Bandwidth of HEMT amplifier, MHz		0.01-200	1-3500
Maximum power handling capacity		1 mW
Input beam	Max diameter	10 mm
	Beam pattern	F/3 to F/∞ (collimated beam)

General parameters:

l Number of channels: 1 or 2

l Electrical connection: SMA-50 Ohm

l Driver interface: USB, LabVIEW

Advantages of the System:

l Response time down to 50 ps

l Possibilities for different beam geometry [beam pattern F/3 to F/∞ (collimated beam)]

l Registration of short pulses(THz pulses from nano- to picoseconds)

l Ultra-high sensitivity

Typical frequency dependence of the noise equivalent power (NEP) for three types of detecting system:

Blue line - type 1; Red line - type 2; Green line - type 3

Two types of cooling system are available:

1) Liquid helium Cryostat

Type of Cryostat	1	2
Volume of liquid helium	1 liter	2 liters
Liquid helium hold time	More than 5 hours	More than 7 hours
Weight	9kg	13kg
Height	380mm	490mm
Diameter	150mm	250mm

2)Closed-Cycle Refrigerator (Cryogenic-Free)

Element/Parameter	Closed-cycle refrigerator	Compressor	Control Unit
Weight, kg	25	75	1
Length x width x height	240x240x580mm	450x320x560mm	240x260x140mm
Preparation time	150 min	-	-
Maintenance, hours	10,000	30,000	0
Power consumption	1.5kW*		30W*