Hacking the superconducting nanowire: From photo detection to microwave plasmonics

Superconducting nanowires have long been of use in single-photon detection for applications in quantum information science. However, only recently have we begun to study them as a unique platform for examining how systems with low electronic carrier densities behave. In this regime, kinetic inductance (the inductance associated with inertial motion of charge carriers) dominates over conventional magnetic inductance. As a result, devices can exhibit ultralow phase velocities in the microwave spectral region. These characteristics result in opportunities for new applications. Superconducting-nanowire-based single-photon detectors have already been been applied to problems ranging from LIDAR to integrated-circuit evaluation. With our newfound understanding of the microwave plasmonic properties of these materials, new applications may be envisioned which take advantage of the slow electromagnetic propagation speeds in the materials, the tunability of this effect, and the ability to integrate these materials with interesting technologies, e.g. with photonic and superconducting quantum systems.

Student event: Meet the speaker

We invite you to a student-only discussion-round with Prof. Dr. Karl Berggren before his Munich Physics Colloquium talk. Be curious and feel free to ask any question.
Monday, 11th of November 2019, 16:00 h, Seminar room PH 3268 (upper floor), Physik-Department der TUM, James-Franck-Straße 1, Garching.