We present the development of key technologies for realization of superconducting nanowire single photon detector array system, which enables high counting rates, and allow spatial and pseudo photon number resolution. Toward the realization of practical large-scale SSPD array system, primary issue is how to avoid heat flow into cryocooler system. One of the challenging tasks is the development of their readout electronics. In the conventional readout technique used for single pixel devices, the number of high-frequency coaxial cables increases proportionally with the number of arrays. This causes a significant increase in the heat load from room temperature, which makes the implementation of the SSPD arrays in a compact refrigerator difficult. To overcome this problem, we proposed applying readout electronics with superconducting single-flux-quantum (SFQ) logic circuitsWe show the implementation and successful operation of four pixels SSPD array connected to SFQ readout electronics with parallel bias scheme in a 0.1W GM cryocooler system.

Date Published: 3 June 2013
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 8727, Advanced Photon Counting Techniques VII, 872708 (3 June 2013); doi: 10.1117/12.2016750

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 8727:
Advanced Photon Counting Techniques VII
Mark A. Itzler; Joe C. Campbell, Editor(s)