A compact multi-pixel superconducting nanowire single-photon detector array supporting gigabit space-to-ground communications

Hao Hao; Qing-Yuan Zhao; Yang-Hui Huang; Jie Deng; Fan Yang; Sai-Ying Ru; Zhen Liu; Chao Wan; Hao Liu; Zhi-Jian Li; Hua-Bing Wang; Xue-Cou Tu; La-Bao Zhang; Xiao-Qing Jia; Xing-Long Wu; Jian Chen; Lin Kang; Pei-Heng Wu

doi:10.1038/s41377-023-01374-1

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A compact multi-pixel superconducting nanowire single-photon detector array supporting gigabit space-to-ground communications

Original Articles

- A compact multi-pixel superconducting nanowire single-photon detector array supporting gigabit space-to-ground communications
- Light: Science & Applications Vol. 13, Issue 2, Pages: 254-266(2024)
- Affiliations：
  
  1.Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics (RISE), School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
  2.Purple Mountain Laboratories, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211111, China
  3.Hefei National Laboratory, Hefei, Anhui 230088, China
  4.National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Author bio：
  
  Qing-Yuan Zhao (qyzhao@nju.edu.cn)
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1038/s41377-023-01374-1
  CLC：
- Received：10 August 2023，
  
  Revised：21 December 2023，
  
  Accepted：2023-12-26，
  
  Published Online：22 January 2024，
  
  Published：29 February 2024
- Accepted：
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Hao, H. et al. A compact multi-pixel superconducting nanowire single-photon detector array supporting gigabit space-to-ground communications. Light: Science & Applications, 13, 254-266 (2024).
DOI：

Hao, H. et al. A compact multi-pixel superconducting nanowire single-photon detector array supporting gigabit space-to-ground communications. Light: Science & Applications, 13, 254-266 (2024). DOI： 10.1038/s41377-023-01374-1.

摘要

Abstract

Classical and quantum space-to-ground communications necessitate highly sensitive receivers capable of extracting information from modulated photons to extend the communication distance from near-earth orbits to deep space explorations. To achieve gigabit data rates while mitigating strong background noise photons and beam drift in a highly attenuated free-space channel

a comprehensive design of a multi-functional detector is indispensable. In this study

we present an innovative compact multi-pixel superconducting nanowire single-photon detector array that integrates near-unity detection efficiency (91.6%)

high photon counting rate (1.61 Gcps)

large dynamic range for resolving different photon numbers (1–24)

and four-quadrant position sensing function all within one device. Furthermore

we have constructed a communication testbed to validate the advantages offered by such an architecture. Through 8-PPM (pulse position modulation) format communication experiments

we have achieved an impressive maximum data rate of 1.5 Gbps

demonstrating sensitivities surpassing previous benchmarks at respective speeds. By incorporating photon number information into error correction codes

the receiver can tolerate maximum background noise levels equivalent to 0.8 photons/slot at a data rate of 120 Mbps—showcasing a great potential for daylight operation scenarios. Additionally

preliminary beam tracking tests were conducted through open-loop scanning techniques

which revealed clear quantitative dependence indicating sensitivity variations based on beam location. Based on the device characterizations and communication results

we anticipate that this device architecture

along with its corresponding signal processing and coding techniques

will be applicable in future space-to-ground communication tasks.

关键词

Keywords

references

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