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The Role of Multiple Fluctuation Events in NbN and NbTiN Superconducting Nanostrip Single-Photon Detectors

Journal of Low Temperature Physics volume 199, pages 6–11 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

We report on measurements of the switching current distributions on two-dimensional NbN superconducting nanostrip single-photon detectors (SNSPD), 5 nm thick and 80 nm wide, in an interval of temperatures from 6 K down to 0.3 K and compare the data with those obtained for similar NbTiN nanostrips. The standard deviations of the switching distributions show an extended region at high temperatures where multiple phase slip switching events occur. This is probably related to a decreasing critical current and an increasing electron and phonon heat capacities. In this temperature region, the width of the switching distribution, and therefore the dark count rate, is considerably reduced down to values below those observed at the lowest temperature. Finally, we also quantify the energy scale of the fluctuation phenomena. The proposed experimental approach may result in a powerful tool for the diagnostic of SNSPD operation mode.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80125, Naples, Italy

    L. Parlato, D. Salvoni, R. Caruso, F. Tafuri & G. P. Pepe

  2. Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche – Institute of Superconductors, Innovative Materials and Devices, Naples, Italy

    L. Parlato, D. Salvoni, M. Ejrnaes, F. Tafuri, G. P. Pepe & R. Cristiano

  3. Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettrica e delle Tecnologie dell’Informazione, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80125, Naples, Italy

    D. Massarotti

  4. SeeQC-eu, Via dei Due Macelli 66, 00187, Rome, Italy

    R. Caruso & R. Satariano

  5. State Key Lab of Functional Materials for Informatics, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology (SIMIT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 865 Changning Rd., Shanghai, 200050, People’s Republic of China

    X. Y. Yang, L. You & Z. Wang

  6. CAS Center for Excellence in Superconducting Electronics (CENSE), 865 Changning Rd., Shanghai, 200050, People’s Republic of China

    L. You & Z. Wang

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  1. L. Parlato
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  2. D. Salvoni
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  3. M. Ejrnaes
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  7. F. Tafuri
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  8. X. Y. Yang
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  9. L. You
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  11. G. P. Pepe
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Correspondence to L. Parlato.

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Parlato, L., Salvoni, D., Ejrnaes, M. et al. The Role of Multiple Fluctuation Events in NbN and NbTiN Superconducting Nanostrip Single-Photon Detectors. J Low Temp Phys 199, 6–11 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10909-020-02395-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10909-020-02395-5

Keywords

  • Superconducting nanostrip single-photon detectors
  • Dark count rate
  • Fluctuation events