Materials, devices, and systems for high-speed single-photon counting

Optical communications and high-speed optoelectronics are enabling technologies for modern information networks. Driven by the need for improved bandwidth, high efficiency, and low noise, advances over the last decades have led to high-performance photodetectors operating at the quantum limit. In particular, single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) and superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) provide excellent performance in terms of high detection efficiency and low noise. In this article, we highlight materials challenges in these detectors and review recent progress on devices, and systems for high-count-rate single-photon counting with SPADs and SNSPDs. Device configurations specifically designed for high-speed optoelectronics are discussed, including active detector readout schemes. Advantages and tradeoffs of the different device technologies are summarized and compared, providing an outlook on future prospects for performance optimization and emerging applications.

Automated summary

This article focuses on materials challenges in single-photon detectors and reviews recent progress. In particular, SPADs and SNSPDs have shown excellent performance in high-count-rate single-photon counting. The article also discusses device configurations specifically designed for high-speed optoelectronics and compares the advantages and tradeoffs of different device technologies.