The physics of nanowire superconducting single-photon detectors

Renema, J.J. (2015)

Doctoral Thesis

We investigate the detection mechanism in superconducting single photon detectors via quantum detector tomography. We find that the detection event is caused by diffusion of quasiparticles from the absorption spot, combined with entrance of a vortex. Moreover, we investigate the behaviour of superconducting single photon detectors in an external magnetic field.

• Quantum detector tomography
• Experimental physics
• Solid-state physics
• Superconductivity
• Single-photon detection
• Superconducting detectors
• Quantum optics

• All authors: Renema, J.J.
• Supervisor: Bouwmeester, D.; Fiore, A.
• Co-supervisor: Exter, M.P. van
• Committee: Goltsman, G.N.; Klapwijk, T.M.; Lundeen, J.S.; Eliel, E.R.; Aarts, J.; Dood, M.J.A. de
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Leiden Insitute of Physics (LION), Faculty of Science, Leiden University
• Date: 2015-03-05
• Title of host publication: Casimir PhD Series
• ISBN (print): 9789085932109
• Name: 2015-02