TY - JOUR
T1 - Dependence of Photon Detection Efficiency on Normal-State Sheet Resistance in Marginally Superconducting Films of NbN
AU - Zolotov, Philipp
AU - Semenov, Alexander
AU - Divochiy, Alexander
AU - Goltsman, Gregory
AU - Romanov, Nikita
AU - Klapwijk, T. M.
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - We present an extensive set of data on nanowire-type superconducting single-photon detectors based on niobium-nitride (NbN) to establish the empirical correlation between performance and the normal-state resistance per square. We focus, in particular, on the bias current, compared to the expected depairing current, needed to achieve a near-unity detection efficiency for photon detection. The data are discussed within the context of a model in which the photon energy triggers the movement of vortices i.e. superconducting dissipation, followed by thermal runaway. Since the model is based on the non-equilibrium theory for conventional superconductors deviations may occur, because the efficient regime is found when NbN acts as a marginal superconductor in which long-range phase coherence is frustrated.
AB - We present an extensive set of data on nanowire-type superconducting single-photon detectors based on niobium-nitride (NbN) to establish the empirical correlation between performance and the normal-state resistance per square. We focus, in particular, on the bias current, compared to the expected depairing current, needed to achieve a near-unity detection efficiency for photon detection. The data are discussed within the context of a model in which the photon energy triggers the movement of vortices i.e. superconducting dissipation, followed by thermal runaway. Since the model is based on the non-equilibrium theory for conventional superconductors deviations may occur, because the efficient regime is found when NbN acts as a marginal superconductor in which long-range phase coherence is frustrated.
KW - superconducting photodetectors
KW - Superconductivity
KW - thin films
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85101771199&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1109/TASC.2021.3061923
DO - 10.1109/TASC.2021.3061923
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85101771199
SN - 1051-8223
VL - 31
JO - IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity
JF - IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity
IS - 5
M1 - 9362289
ER -