Trap-integrated superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors with improved rf tolerance for trapped-ion qubit state readout
Benedikt Hampel, D. H. Slichter, D. Leibfried, Richard P. Mirin, Sae Woo Nam, Varun B. Verma
Abstract
State readout of trapped-ion qubits with trap-integrated detectors can address important challenges for scalable quantum computing, but the strong radio frequency (rf) electric fields used for trapping can impact detector performance. Here, we report on NbTiN superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) employing grounded aluminum mirrors as electrical shielding that are integrated into linear surface-electrode rf ion traps. The shielded SNSPDs can be operated at applied rf trapping potentials of up to 54 Vpeak at 70 MHz and temperatures of up to 6 K, with a maximum system detection efficiency of 68%. This performance should be sufficient to enable parallel high-fidelity state readout of a wide range of trapped ion species in a typical cryogenic apparatus.