  Here we propose a new design paradigm for a superconducting nanowire single
photon detector that uses a multi-layer architecture that places the electric
leads beneath the nanowires. This allows for a very large number of detector
elements, which we will call pixels in analogy to a conventional CCD camera, to
be placed in close proximity. This leads to significantly better photon number
resolution than current single and multi-nanowire meanders, while maintaining
similar detection areas. We discuss the reset time of the pixels and how the
design can be modified to avoid the latching failure seen in extremely short
superconducting nanowires. These advantages give a multi-layer superconducting
number-resolving photon detector significant advantages over the current design
paradigm of long superconducting nanowire meanders. Such advantages are
desirable in a wide array of photonics applications.
