Current state of mid-infrared superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors

Multiple space missions currently under study require high-performing detectors at mid-infrared wavelengths from 2 to 20 µm. However, the future availability of the IBC detectors used for JWST is in doubt, and HgCdTe detectors have difficulties at longer wavelengths. Superconducting detectors are therefore being considered as a solution to fill this technology gap. Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) are particularly advantageous, because they are true photon-counting detectors with digital-like output signals and low dark count rates. These features make them very stable for applications like exoplanet transit spectroscopy and able to operate in photon-starved environments for applications like nulling interferometry. We have recently demonstrated SNSPDs with high internal detection efficiency at wavelengths as long as 29 µm. This talk will provide an overview of the current state of mid-IR SNSPDs and lay out the future steps needed to adapt them for exoplanet science missions.