I-Corps: Translation Potential of Scalable Superconducting Single-Photon Detector Arrays for Quantum Sensing and Photon-Starved Optical Applications

This I-Corps project is based on the development of a superconducting detector technology for applications requiring the detection of extremely weak optical signals. Many emerging technologies, including quantum information systems, advanced communications, biomedical imaging, and scientific instrumentation, are limited by the ability to measure light efficiently under photon-starved conditions. Current optical detectors often require tradeoffs among sensitivity, speed, timing precision, and scalability. This technology advances a new class of superconducting detector technology capable of substantially improving the efficiency and fidelity of optical measurements while supporting scalable system architectures. This technology may accelerate innovation in quantum technologies, healthcare, communications, and scientific instrumentation while strengthening U.S. competitiveness in advanced photonics manufacturing. This I-Corps project utilizes experiential learning coupled with first-hand investigation of the industry ecosystem to assess the translation potential of a superconducting detector and imaging technology. This technology is a scalable platform for superconducting nanowire single-photon detector arrays and imaging systems. It incorporates highly efficient optical detection, low-noise operation, precise timing performance, and scalable device fabrication to provide a scalable approach for fabricating and integrating superconducting nanowire detector arrays that enable single photon sensitivity and photon number-resolving capability. This may provide a path from today's single-pixel detectors to large-format detector arrays and future single-photon cameras capable of imaging and measuring light at the individual photon level. It has the potential to improve performance and throughput in photon-starved applications while supporting scalable integration into both quantum and classical imaging systems. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.