Photons in Focus
Researchers of THUAS work together with the companies Single Quantum and Photosynthetic on the fabrication and testing of microscopic lenses that can optimally focus photons onto superconducting nanowire detectors.
Centre of Expertise Digital Operations & Finance
Superconducting nanowires can detect single photons with efficiencies close to 100%. Such detectors are used in for example biomedical imaging, deep space satellite communications and quantum computing and cryptography. To reach such high efficiencies, the light must impinge precisely onto the microscopic detectors.
Background project
In Photons in Focus, researchers of the research group Photonics work together with engineers from the detector company Single Quantum, and the micro-3D printing company Photosynthetic, on the fabrication and testing of microscopic lenses that can optimally focus photons onto superconducting nanowire detectors. Various types of microlenses are made by various fabrication methods, to find out how microlenses can work for this application.
Purpose
Microlenses that can focus visible and infrared light well onto a superconducting nanowire single photon detector.
Method
Photolithography, optical measurement methods.
Results
Microlenses that can focus visible and infrared light well onto a superconducting nanowire single photon detector.
Start and end date
September 2025 – September 2026
Funding
Regieorgaan SIA en Holland High Tech, KIEM HighTech programma.
Collaboration
Photosynthetic BV en Single Quantum BV.
Degree programme involved
Applied Physics
Team
- Marijn Versteegh, researcher Photonics
- Jeroen Oostinga, researcher Applied Physics
- Daan Boesten, junior researcher Photonics
- Steven van den Berg, professor Photonics
Contact
Marijn Versteegh, researcher Photonics, [email protected]