Extending single-photon optimized superconducting transition edge sensors beyond the single-photon counting regime

Published

September 19, 2011

Author(s)

Thomas Gerrits, Brice R. Calkins, Nathan A. Tomlin, Adriana E. Lita, Alan L. Migdall, Sae Woo Nam, Richard P. Mirin

Abstract

Photon number resolving transition-edge sensors (TES) are the cutting-edge enabling technology for high quantum efficiency photon number counting. The TES developed at NIST reliably show system detection efficiencies of more than 95%, and even approach 99% for individual detectors. Recently, efforts to directly tying existing optical power measurements to measurements at the single-photon level are being considered by some metrology institutions around the world with the goal of better uncertainties. An initial step in this direction would be to explore how far existing detectors can be extended beyond their usual operating regimes. One promising candidate under consideration for connecting these two regions is the TES, as it functions as a microcalorimeter and is therefore able, in principle, to measure optical powers from the single-photon-regime to picowatt levels.

Proceedings Title

11th International Conference on Radiometry (NEWRAD)

Conference Dates

September 19-23, 2011

Conference Location

Maui, HI

Conference Title

NEWRAD 2011

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

single photon detector, transition edge sensor

Citation

Gerrits, T. , Calkins, B. , Tomlin, N. , Lita, A. , Migdall, A. , Nam, S. and Mirin, R. (2011), Extending single-photon optimized superconducting transition edge sensors beyond the single-photon counting regime, 11th International Conference on Radiometry (NEWRAD), Maui, HI, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=908784 (Accessed March 13, 2025)