A Path to Superconducting Nanowire Readout of Xe- based detectors

Xe 探测器的超导纳米线读数之路

• 批准号: ST/Y509929/1
• 负责人: James Dobson
• 金额: $ 64.18万
• 依托单位: King's College London
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 财政年份: 2023
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2023 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ST%2FY509929%2F1
• 关键词: Path; Superconducting; Nanowire; Readout; Xe

With near-unity quantum efficiencies (QE), ultra-low dark count rates down to 10-4 Hz/device and exquisite sub-10-ps-timing resolution, Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detectors (SNSPDs) with vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) sensitivity offer a potential step change as a new readout technology for a broad range of scintillator detectors used by the PPAN community (LXe, LHe, LAr) and have application in many non-PPAN areas, such as UV imaging techniques in the life sciences and as a low-noise readout for quantum technology. Most commercially available SNSPD devices target infrared wavelengths, and whilst some UV models are available they are not optimised for 178 nm VUV Xe light. This project brings together UK expertise in LXe*detectors with world-class capability in SNSPD design and fabrication, to deliver a proof-of-principle demonstration of a VUV-sensitive SNSPD device and to develop a range of novel applications across PPAN, quantum technology and the life sciences that are enabled by this new capability. Due to its inherent scalability, dark matter detectors based on the UK*pioneered LXe-technology have led the search for intermediate-mass dark matter for more than a decade. Alongside Xe target mass and stringent radiopurity requirements, the key driver for improved sensitivity for low*energy signals is the efficiency with which the 175 nm VUV scintillation light is detected. At these wavelengths, traditional readout devices such as VUV*sensitive photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) and Si-photomultipliers (SiPM) achieve 25-35% QE and as such readout with a > 90% QE SNSPD would be a significant improvement. The typical requirement of a triple-coincidence scintillation signal detected across multiple photosensors means this would result in an order of magnitude increase in signal efficiency for low mass dark matter and 8-Boron solar neutrinos. The key objectives of this project are to demonstrate the viability of a VUV*sensitive SNSPD device and to establish the feasibility and develop cases that leverage this new capability, including their use for readout of compact Xe*based particle detectors, VUV fluorescence spectroscopy, and ion-trap quantum computers. The project will follow a staged approach to characterise existing SNSPD detectors developed by Prof. Hadfield's group at the University of Glasgow: first, demonstrate the performance of the SNSPD to a VUV signal using double-coincident VIS (400 nm) events as a proxy; then the characterisation of VUV transmittance in solarisation-resistant optical fibres using VUV SiPM devices; which will enable coupling the SNSPD device, first to a monochromatic light source and then to a Xe scintillation cell for complete characterisation.

具有真空紫外 (VUV) 功能的超导纳米线单光子探测器 (SNSPD) 具有接近一致的量子效率 (QE)、低至 10-4 Hz/器件的超低暗计数率以及精致的亚 10 ps 定时分辨率作为 PPAN 社区（LXe、LHe、LAr）使用的各种闪烁体探测器的新读出技术，灵敏度提供了潜在的阶跃变化，并在许多领域都有应用非 PPAN 领域，例如生命科学中的紫外成像技术以及量子技术的低噪声读数。大多数商用 SNSPD 设备都针对红外波长，虽然有一些 UV 型号可用，但它们并未针对 178 nm VUV Xe 光进行优化。该项目汇集了英国在 LXe* 探测器方面的专业知识与世界一流的 SNSPD 设计和制造能力，提供 VUV 敏感 SNSPD 设备的原理验证演示，并开发一系列跨 PPAN、量子技术的新颖应用以及由这种新功能实现的生命科学。由于其固有的可扩展性，基于英国*首创的 LXe 技术的暗物质探测器十多年来一直引领着中等质量暗物质的探索。除了 Xe 目标质量和严格的放射性纯度要求之外，提高低能量信号灵敏度的关键驱动因素是检测 175 nm VUV 闪烁光的效率。在这些波长下，VUV*敏感光电倍增管 (PMT) 和硅光电倍增管 (SiPM) 等传统读出设备可实现 25-35% QE，因此 QE SNSPD > 90% 的读出将是一个重大改进。在多个光电传感器上检测到三重符合闪烁信号的典型要求意味着这将导致低质量暗物质和 8 硼太阳中微子的信号效率提高一个数量级。该项目的主要目标是证明 VUV* 敏感 SNSPD 设备的可行性，并建立利用这一新功能的可行性和开发案例，包括将其用于读取基于 Xe* 的紧凑型粒子探测器、VUV 荧光光谱和离子阱量子计算机。该项目将采用分阶段的方法来表征格拉斯哥大学 Hadfield 教授小组开发的现有 SNSPD 探测器：首先，使用双重合 VIS (400 nm) 事件作为代理，展示 SNSPD 对 VUV 信号的性能；然后使用 VUV SiPM 器件表征抗日晒光纤的 VUV 透射率；这将使 SNSPD 设备首先与单色光源耦合，然后与 Xe 闪烁池耦合以进行完整的表征。