Waveguide Integrated Superconducting Single-Photon Detector For Photonic And Ion Quantum Processors And Neuromorphic Computing

We consider superconducting single-photon detectors, which are the key element of quantum optical technologies due to their unique characteristics not available in other technologies today. Since the first demonstration in Russia in 2001, such detectors have evolved significantly, and their waveguide-based versions are ready for scaling both in the fields of classical technologies (attenuated light) and of quantum optical applications (non-classical light). The paper studies the operating principle of such detectors and their main characteristics, analyzes superconducting materials and dielectric waveguide platforms, highlights the design principles, considers various levels of integration of on-chip waveguide superconductor detectors, and presents important new areas of application towards the implementation of photonic and ion quantum processors, as well as energy-efficient neuromorphic computing.