High quantum efficiency photon-number-resolving detector for photonic on-chip information processing

We demonstrate a high-efficiency, photon-number resolving transition edge sensor, integrated on an optical silica waveguide structure. The detector consists of three individual absorber/sensor devices providing a total system detection efficiency of up to 93% for single photons at a wavelength of 1551.9 nm. This new design enables high fidelity detection of quantum information processes in on-chip platforms.