Tapered InP nanowire arrays for efficient broadband high-speed single-photon detection

Sandra J. Gibson, Brad van Kasteren, Burak Tekcan, Yingchao Cui, Dick van Dam, Jos E.M. Haverkort, Erik P.A.M. Bakkers, Michael E. Reimer (Corresponding author)

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Abstract

Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors with peak efficiencies above 90% and unrivalled timing jitter (<30 ps) have emerged as a potent technology for quantum information and sensing applications. However, their high cost and cryogenic operation limit their widespread applicability. Here, we present an approach using tapered InP nanowire p-n junction arrays for high-efficiency, broadband and high-speed photodetection without the need for cryogenic cooling. The truncated conical nanowire shape enables a broadband, linear photoresponse in the ultraviolet to near-infrared range (~500 nm bandwidth) with external quantum efficiencies exceeding 85%. The devices exhibit a high gain beyond 10 5, such that a single photon per pulse can be distinguished from the dark noise, while simultaneously showing a fast pulse rise time (<1 ns) and excellent timing jitter (<20 ps). Such detectors open up new possibilities for applications in remote sensing, dose monitoring for cancer treatment, three-dimensional imaging and quantum communication.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)473-479
Number of pages8
JournalNature Nanotechnology
Volume14
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 4 Mar 2019

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