Pankaj K. Jha, an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the College of Engineering and Computer Science, has been awarded a grant by the National Science Foundation. The grant is intended to support his research on developing single-photon detectors using iron-based superconductors that can function at higher temperatures.
Single-photon detection is essential for various advanced quantum technologies, including optical quantum computing, communication, and ultra-sensitive imaging. Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) are currently the most effective tools for detecting single photons due to their ability to count many photons quickly with few false counts and precise timing. However, these detectors typically require very low temperatures to operate.
Jha’s work aims to create SNSPDs that can operate at higher temperatures, which would make them smaller, more accessible, and scalable. “The generation, manipulation and detection of single photons lies at the heart of optical quantum technologies. Losing a photon means a loss of information, whether that information is encoded in a photonic qubit or represents an image of a distant satellite,” Jha explained.
The development of high-temperature SNSPDs could significantly impact the field of quantum technology by enabling applications such as photon-starved deep-space imaging, on-chip quantum photonics, optical quantum computing, and biomedical research. This project aligns with the objectives of the National Quantum Initiative Act of 2018 and the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, both aimed at promoting advancements in quantum technologies.
Additionally, Jha’s project will focus on enhancing science education by providing hands-on research opportunities in quantum technology for students from K-12 through undergraduate levels.
