SUPERCONDUCTING NANOWIRE QUANTUM SAMPLERS
Abstract
?Superconducting Nanowire Quantum Samplers Joseph C. Bardin Assistant Professor Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Massachusetts Amherst jbardin@ecs.umass.edu 413.545.2463 Abstract The field of quantum information sciences is a rapidly expanding area in which the unique properties of quantum mechanical systems are exploited to enable new devices and systems that cannot be realized any other way. Proposed applications of these technologies include powerful computer systems capable of solving massive problems that cannot be solved using conventional computers and communication systems that are inherently secure. However, to transition such systems from concept to reality requires a robust set of building blocks that can be used to create larger systems. One such building block is a device that is able to give a reading of the number of light quanta—or photons—in an optical pulse. While such devices have begun to exist, they are either too slow or not accurate enough for real world applications. In this program, we will combine silicon circuit technology with superconducting nanowire single photon detectors to realize a detector that is able to count photons in the near-IR frequency range with unprecedented speed and accuracy. The device will operate by converting each photon in a short optical pulse into a nanoscale ‘hotspot’—a region of elevated temperature—within the nanowire. The process of converting optical energy to hotspots will be accomplished on the timescale of 10’s of picoseconds. Finally, the number of hotspots in the nanowire will be read out by the silicon circuit, thereby providing a reading of the number of photons in the pulse. Specific areas of research that must be addressed to implement this device include the design and modeling of appropriate nanowire devices and semiconductor circuits, as well as the integration of these two sets of devices.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 20, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141512417
Entities
People
- Joseph Bardin
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Massachusetts