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We report herein the development of a superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD) that uses a hybrid cryocooler compatible with space applications. The hybrid cryocooler incorporates a two-stage high-frequency pulse-tube cryocooler and a Joule–Thomson loop, which produces a minimum temperature of 2.2 K. The SNSPD with the structure of sandwiched nanowires integrated in the cryocooler shows a maximum detection efficiency of 93% at 1550 nm, which makes it promising for deep-space communications and quantum information applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Along with the development of space science and technology, miniature liquid helium temperature long life cryocooler is a focus subject in cryogenic study. Since it is the precondition of space detection researches, institutions of space in many countries do the research on it. In this article, we designed a compound cooling system. A three-stage high frequency thermal coupled pulse tube cryocooler was used to precool a Joule-Thomson (JT) cryocooler. This system has no moving parts at low temperatures and is hence suitable for space operation. Liquid helium temperature was successfully achieved in both open loop and closed cycle experiments. In the closed cycle experiment, when 473 W electric power was inputted, the cooling system reached a no-load temperature of 4.4 K, and a cooling capacity of 11.6 mW was provided at 4.54 K. It is the first miniature liquid helium temperature JT cryocooler in China and the research achievement paves a way for the space application of ultra- long wave infrared detection and THz technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]