Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors for Quantum Networking Metrology

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to procure two Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors (SNSPDs) for quantum networking metrology, to be provided by Quantum Opus, LLC. These detectors are to be installed in existing 2.2 K moveable cryostats, also manufactured by Quantum Opus, ensuring compatibility with current equipment and continuity of ongoing quantum networking research.

The SNSPDs must operate at 2.2 K, offer a system detection efficiency of at least 90% at 780 nm, feature dark count rates below 100/sec, and include fiber coupling with an E2000 connector and less than 20 ps timing jitter (FWHM). The contractor is also required to upgrade the biasing and amplification electronics in the cryostats for optimum integration and performance.

This sole source procurement ensures NIST's ability to continue critical quantum networking metrology and related research, specifically enabling entanglement swapping demonstrations for the Washington Metropolitan Quantum Network Research Consortium (DC–Qnet). The acquisition supports NIST's mission to advance measurement science and quantum information systems by leveraging equipment compatible with existing infrastructure.