Quantum dot-based single-photon detectors (QD-SPDs) have emerged as a revolutionary technology in optronics, achieving detection efficiencies exceeding 90% at wavelengths of 1550 nm, which is critical for quantum communication. These detectors leverage the unique properties of quantum dots, such as their tunable bandgap and high quantum yield, to enable single-photon sensitivity with timing jitter as low as 20 ps. Recent advancements in epitaxial growth techniques have allowed for the integration of QD-SPDs with silicon photonics, reducing dark count rates to below 1 Hz at cryogenic temperatures.
The scalability of QD-SPDs has been demonstrated through the fabrication of arrays with up to 1,024 pixels, enabling applications in quantum imaging and LiDAR systems. These arrays exhibit uniform performance across all pixels, with a variation in detection efficiency of less than 2%. The integration of QD-SPDs with superconducting nanowires has further enhanced their performance, achieving a system detection efficiency (SDE) of 95% at 4 K. This makes them ideal for space-based quantum communication systems, where low noise and high sensitivity are paramount.
Recent research has focused on extending the operational wavelength range of QD-SPDs to cover the entire near-infrared spectrum (700–2500 nm). This has been achieved through the use of strain-engineered quantum dots, which allow for precise control over the emission wavelength. Devices operating at 2000 nm have demonstrated a detection efficiency of 85%, opening new possibilities for mid-infrared optronics applications. Additionally, the development of room-temperature QD-SPDs is underway, with prototypes showing promising results at efficiencies above 50%.
The integration of QD-SPDs with machine learning algorithms has enabled real-time photon counting and classification, achieving an accuracy of 99.7% in distinguishing between single-photon and multi-photon events. This capability is crucial for secure quantum key distribution (QKD) systems, where eavesdropping attempts can be detected with high precision. Furthermore, the use of QD-SPDs in biological imaging has been explored, achieving sub-10 nm spatial resolution in fluorescence microscopy.
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