Detection of single infrared, optical, and ultraviolet photons using superconducting transition edge sensors

Abstract

We have demonstrated the use of superconducting transition edge sensors for the wide-band detection of individual photons from the mid infrared (IR), through the optical, and into the far ultraviolet (UV). These tungsten transition edge sensors are squares about 18 μm on a side and detect single photon events above a threshold of 0.3 eV (4 μm wavelength), with an energy resolution of 0.15 eV full width at half maximum, and with a risetime (falltime) of .5 μs (60 μs). The calibration data extend up to the UV cutoff of the fiber optic feed at 3.5 eV (350 nm).