Understanding the interactions of atoms and molecules at the most fundamental level is essential for advancements in quantum optics, molecular beam physics, and beyond. Detecting atomic internal energy and low-energy molecular impacts with high precision provides valuable insights for these fields. While channel electron multipliers (CEMs) have been widely used, their sensitivity and resolution are limited, prompting the need for more advanced detection methods.

A recent study, conducted in collaboration between Single Quantum and the University of Vienna (Faculty of Physics), demonstrates how superconducting nanowire detectors offer a highly sensitive alternative. The research shows that SNWDs can precisely identify atomic internal energy states and detect molecular impacts at low kinetic energy, outperforming conventional detection methods.

The Role of Single Quantum’s Detectors

Single Quantum’s custom SNSPD arrays, developed as part of the SuperMaMa project, played a crucial role in achieving these results. These detectors enabled:

✅ High-sensitivity detection of neutral atoms and molecules, surpassing CEM performance.

✅ Precise measurement of atomic internal energy, essential for quantum and molecular physics research.

✅ Improved spatial resolution, enabling more detailed analysis of atomic and molecular interactions.

✅ A scalable nanowire detector array, enhancing detection efficiency for fundamental experiments.

✅ Low dark count rate and high signal-to-noise ratio, ensuring reliable and accurate measurements.

As researchers continue to explore the frontiers of atomic and molecular physics, high-performance superconducting nanowire detectors will play a key role in enabling new discoveries.