Mainz 2026 – scientific programme
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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik
Q 10: Quantum Technologies – Photon Detectors and Sources
Q 10.7: Talk
Monday, March 2, 2026, 18:30–18:45, P 5
Reducing Dark Counts in SNSPDs through Optical Shielding Designs and an On-Chip SiN Polarisation Beam Splitter within the MultiQomm Project — •César Bertoni Ocampo1,2,3, Connor A. Graham-Scott1,2,3, Janis Averbeck1,2,3, and Carsten Schuck1,2,3 — 1Department for Quantum Technology, University of Münster — 2Center for NanoTechnology - CeNTech, Münster — 3Center for Soft Nanoscience - SoN, Münster
Photonic integrated circuits (PIC) hold great potential for realizing scalable architectures for future quantum networks, as they allow for realizing single-photon counting, routing and state discrimination on reproducible chips. However, low-noise detection and polarization management present important practical challenges on otherwise well established nanophotonic platforms, such as silicon nitride (SiN) on insulator. Here we report on the integration of superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs) with SiN-waveguides that approach < 1 cps dark count rate through locally shielding dedicated areas of a PIC. Moreover, we develop nanophotonic devices that allow for distinguishing transverse electric and magnetic polarization with > 15 dB extinction ratio and straightforwardly integrate with SNSPDs and polarization-agnostic 3D-printed fiber-chip interfaces. Making polarization sensitive nanophotonic functionalities and single photon detectors with low dark count rate available on SiN-PICs enables novel realizations of quantum key distribution receivers and quantum communication systems.
Keywords: Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors; Dark Count Reduction; Silicon Nitride Photonics; Polarization Beam Splitter; Integrated Quantum Photonics