Dissertation
Photon detection at subwavelength scales
Promotor: E.R. Eliel, Co-Promotor: M.J.A. de Dood
- Author
- Q. Wang
- Date
- 27 October 2015
- Links
- Thesis in Leiden Repository
We first investigate the microscopic working principle of the nanowire superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs), and we find that the edge of the nanowire is much more sensitive than the central part. The experimental results agree quantitatively with the theory based on a photon-assisted vertex- entry model. We then explore its potential to be used as a probe for near-field detection. Our calculations show that the SSPDs have a much higher signal collection efficiency than the conventional near-field optical microscopy, and that their spacial resolution can reach 20 nm. With photon number resolving ability, a SSPD fabricated on a micro-pillar can be used to investigate the quantum information of the optical near-field at subwavelength scales.