QUANTUM OPUS LLC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: SB141-001

QUANTUM OPUS LLC — SBIR Phase I award from Department of Defense.

Amount
$99,608
Agency
Department of Defense · Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Program / Phase
SBIR · Phase I
Topic
SB141-001
Solicitation
2014.1
NAICS
Place of performance
MI
Period
2014-07-14 → 2015-06-13

Description

Superconducting nanowire photon detectors have enabled new scientific measurements and secure communication systems by improving the detection of near-infrared photons, a band that is traditionally problematic for semiconductor- and photomultiplier-based detectors. Although nanowire technology is maturing, significant applications and markets are untapped because of the lack of a "plug and play" system with the desired combination of high speed (1 GHz counting), high-efficiency (>90% system detection efficiency), and low noise (<1 Hz system dark count rate). Through computer and laboratory studies we will quantitatively assess the feasibility of building such a system -- specifically, a turn-key, multichannel system of near-infrared-optimized, high-efficiency, high-speed, superconducting nanowire detectors, all operating in an ultra-compact 19" rack-mounted cryostat.