Description
Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detectors (SNSPDs) are ultra-sensitive telecommunication-wavelength photodetectors that function on changes in resistance of superconducting nanowires upon photon absorption. SNSPDs are widely considered to be the most sensitive photon detectors available, achieving near unity efficiency including at the telecommunication wavelength of 1550 nm, with extremely low dark counts, high count rates, low reset times and low jitter. They are a key strategic technology underpinning applications such as photonic quantum computing and secure quantum communication protocols. SNSPDs also have potential to improve clinical diagnostics and healthcare, for example through use in high-throughput fluorescence imaging and positron emission tomography, and have great potential for environmental sensing, LIDAR for autonomous vehicle navigation systems, high-speed data transmission and defence applications.
Here we report end-to-end, in-house Australian development and evaluation of WSi-based SNSPD devices. We establish a full device workflow spanning WSi thin film deposition, nanowire patterning, optical stack implementation for enhanced absorption, device packaging, and cryogenic testing. We present optoelectronic device characterisation results to validate the performance of fabricated SNSPDs, and to define the processing and measurement protocols required for scalable detector fabrication. We also report progress toward monolithically integrated SNSPDs, co-fabricated with photonic circuitry for integrated quantum optical measurements. Finally, we highlight opportunities to translate this capability toward commercial applications in quantum communications, low-light optical sensing, and precision timing. We welcome conversations with research and industry partners interested in collaboration, co-development, or pathways to deployment—please reach out to discuss requirements and integration opportunities.
| I am the presenting author | Yes |
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