title: Modelling superconducting nanowire single photon detectors in a waveguide cavity.
abstract: In this work we report on a single photon detector system which offers near-unity detection efficiency using waveguide-coupled superconducting nanowires with lengths on the order of 1 μm. This is achieved by embedding the nanowires in a racetrack resonator where the interaction time with the photons trapped in the cavity is increased, thereby allowing for shorter nanowires. We expect this to lead to a higher fabrication yield as the amount of inhomogeneities decreases for shorter nanowires. Our simulations show a system with a 1 μm long superconducting nanowire single photon detector (SNSPD) operating at near-unity detection efficiency using design parameters that can be realistically achieved with conventional fabrication processes. The resonant cavity introduces spectral selectivity to the otherwise broad-band SNSPDs and the cavity induced timing jitter is shown to be insignificant for SNSPDs longer than 1 μm.
authors.forename: Nicola A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Tyler
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barreto
authors.forename: Gerardo E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Villarreal-Garcia
authors.forename: Damien
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bonneau
authors.forename: Döndü
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sahin
authors.forename: Jeremy L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: Mark G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Thompson