title: Superconducting series nanowire detector counting up to twelve photons.
abstract: We demonstrate a superconducting photon-number-resolving detector capable of resolving up to twelve photons at telecommunication wavelengths. It is based on a series array of twelve superconducting NbN nanowire elements, each connected in parallel with an integrated resistor. The photon-induced voltage signals from the twelve elements are summed up into a single readout pulse with a height proportional to the detected photon number. Thirteen distinct output levels corresponding to the detection of n = 0-12 photons are observed experimentally. A detailed analysis of the linearity and of the excess noise shows the potential of scaling to an even larger dynamic range.
authors.forename: Zili
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Saeedeh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jahanmirinejad
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mattioli
authors.forename: Döndü
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sahin
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Frucci
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gaggero
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Leoni
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fiore