Single photon detection at visible and x-ray wavelengths with Nb-Al superconducting tunnel junctions
Publication date: 02 May 1998
Authors: Verhoeve, P., et al.
Journal: Journal of Applied Physics
Volume: 83
Issue: 11
Page: 6118-6125
Year: 1998
Copyright: American Institute of Physics
Photon counting experiments at wavelengths ranging from near infrared to x-ray with niobium based superconducting tunnel junctions with aluminium trapping layers are presented. Single photons can be detected up to a wavelength of 1 micron. The response in the ultraviolet to near-infrared region is characterized by a good energy linearity (< 2.5%), a capability to handle event rates up to ~ 3 kHz, and moderate energy resolving power (E/DeltaE = ~7 for E = 4 eV). The x-ray response at 6 keV is characterized by anomalously high signals compared to the low energy response, a severe energy nonlinearity and a relatively poor energy resolution of ~ 140 eV, full width at half maximum.
Link to publication