Waveguide design for integrated superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors

• Main Author: Dzulkarnain, Iskandar
• Other Authors: Cesare Soci
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2022
• Subjects: Science::Physics::Optics and light; Science::Physics::Electricity and magnetism
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/156993
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This paper aims to survey the current state of single-photon detector technology, and eventually focus on the superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD) as well as its operating mechanisms. The applications and factors influencing its efficiency will be discussed. After evaluating the current challenges faced in the research landscape with regards to improving detection efficiency, this study will implement waveguides to facilitate a scalable, on-chip solution for ease of fabrication of future SNSPD devices. Waveguide-integration will be the main approach adopted within this paper in enhancing detection efficiency that respects the principles of coherent perfect absorption. Subsequently, the waveguide will be computationally optimized using a numerical analytic method known as the Finite Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method. In the geometrical optimization of the waveguide, the optimal transmission value was 99.02%. This was a 34% increase from the non-optimized transmission value. Consequently, the optimization of the nanowire detector and the eventual utilization of coherent perfect absorption is discussed.