Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors: recent progress

Research of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) has been progressing rapidly in recent years. The combined properties of high efficiency, low noise, and fast speed of SNSPDs permit its applications ranging from long-distance quantum teleportation to moon-to-earth optical communications. Here we briefly discussed recent progress of SNSPDs, in particular (1) tungsten-silicide SNSPDs, (2) waveguide-integrated SNSPDs, and (3) a few applied demonstrations.