title: A superconducting nanowire single photon detector on lithium niobate.
abstract: Superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs) are a key enabling technology for optical quantum information science. In this paper we demonstrate a SNSPD fabricated on lithium niobate, an important material for high speed integrated photonic circuits. We report a system detection efficiency of 0.15% at a 1 kHz dark count rate with a maximum of ~1% close to the critical current at 1550 nm wavelength for a parallel wire SNSPD with front side illumination. There is clear scope for improving on this performance with further materials optimization. Detector integration with a lithium niobate optical waveguide is simulated, demonstrating the potential for high single photon detection efficiency in an integrated quantum optic circuit.
authors.affiliation: Scottish Universities Physics Alliance and School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UK. M.Tanner@hw.ac.uk
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Tanner
authors.forename: L San Emeterio
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Warburton
authors.forename: Z H
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Hadfield