High Efficiency On-Chip Single-Photon Detection for Diamond Nanophotonic Circuits

Nanophotonic integrated circuits made from diamond-on-insulator templates are promising candidates for full-scale classical and quantum optical applications on a chip. For operation on a single photon level, both passive devices as well as light sources and single photon detectors co-implemented with a waveguide architecture are essential. Here, we present an in-depth investigation of the efficiency and timing characteristics of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) situated directly atop diamond waveguides. Effects of nanowire length and critical current on the SNSPD performance are elaborated and true single-photon detection capability is confirmed by statistical measures.