Multi-pass photon detector

Abstract

A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) has a photon number resolving detector that has a superconducting nanowire and a waveguide. The waveguide has a plurality of waveguide segments, and each of the waveguide segments are connected through a curved waveguide portion, and a reflector is positioned at the end of the waveguide. The waveguide is arranged proximate to portions of the superconducting nanowire, and one or more photons that propagate through a given waveguide segment have an absorption probability to be absorbed by any one of the portions of superconducting nanowire. The absorption probability distribution for light in the waveguide to be absorbed by the portions of the superconducting nanowire is substantially uniform across the portions of the superconducting nanowire.

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