A wide range of practical applications require detection of very low levels of light, as low as a single photon. Until a few years ago detecting single photons could only be done with very low efficiency and extremely high noise, making these devices very impractical. Developing tools to acquire images at the highest sensitivity is one of the most compelling industrial activities. The ultimate sensitivity is the detection of one single photon, a particle of light. The challenge is the low energy of a single photon and existing technologies suffer from efficiencies, high noise and poor time resolution.
Single Quantum commercializes a completely new and promising light detection technology developed at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. Our technology is based on nanoscale superconducting structures able to detect single photons, the elementary particle of light. Single Quantum provides scientists developing quantum technologies with the highest performance light detectors since its creation in 2012. Emerging quantum technologies hold great promise for future communication, computation and sensing. Following a global trend, the European union is launching a quantum technologies flagship to turn European fundamental research into concrete business opportunities, confirming the rise of nano and quantum technologies as an industrial game changer.
The objective of this feasibility study is to identify and evaluate several opportunities to bring our detection technology to a wider range of users and applications. Because our single photon detectors are the most sensitive light sensors ever made, they are very relevant in all applications where very low light levels are involved. We have concluded that there is a strong potential market for sensitive imaging with superconducting detectors.
