Demonstration of a Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detector (SNSPD) with a flight-like 1 K cooling system

Completed TRL 5 (started at 4, targeting 5)

Description

One method to achieve quantum communication uses fiber-optic-coupled Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detectors (SNSPDs) known for extremely high sensitivity, high efficiency and rapid response and recovery. These detectors operate in the temperature range up to about 2 K and as low as 100 milliKelvin (mK). SNSPDs are currently in use in ground platforms. To make the leap to space, a space flight capable cooling system in the range of 1 K or lower is needed. Currently GSFC makes the only domestic space qualified coolers for this temperature range. Adiabatic demagnetization refrigerators (ADRs) designed and developed in-house have provided cooling down to 50 mK for ASTRO-E, -E2, Hitomi and XRISM for cooling x-ray microcalorimeters. We are proposing to refurbish an existing ASTRO-H (Hitomi) EM version ADR and outfit an existing test cryostat to interface with an externally provided SNSPD system from JPL. The demonstration would show compatibility with the ADR and cryocooler environment.

Benefits

Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detectors (SNSPDs) show promise for enabling quantum communication when fiber optic coupled to a laser. SNSPDs require cooling to 2 K or lower to operate and are currently only used in ground based platforms . This activity will enable a small-sat sized orbital platform by demonstrating the SNSPDs capability with currently space-qualified cooling systems.

Details

Technology area	Communications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization Systems > Optical Communications > Detector Development
Program	Center Innovation Fund: GSFC CIF (GSFC CIF)
Lead organization	Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Start date	2020-10-01
End date	2021-09-30

Project contacts

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Michael Dipirro — mike.dipirro@nasa.gov

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