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Linear Avalanche Photodiode Detector Arrays for Gated
Spectroscopy with Single-Photon Sensitivity--Radiation
Monitoring Devices (RMD), Inc., 44 Hunt Street, Watertown, MA 02472-4699; 617-926-1167
Mr. Arieh Karger,
Principal Investigator
Dr. Gerald Entine,
Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-00ER83086
Amount: $100,000
Current high
performance time resolved spectroscopy systems usually rely on image
intensified charge coupled detector arrays (ICCDs). While ICCDs are capable of single photon sensitivity with
nanosecond time resolution via detector gating, performance is limited by the
photocathode quantum efficiency (<15 percent in the UV and <20 percent
visible to near IR). The approach of
this SBIR program is to develop a solid state version of gated ICCDs. RMD’s expertise in high performance
Avalanche Photodiode (APD) arrays will be used to develop a linear array of
APDs with single photon sensitivity, high quantum efficiency (30-80 percent for
wavelengths between 300-700 nm), and gated modes of operation. During Phase I, we will determine the
optimal operating temperature for single photon detection, determine the
internal quantum efficiency, and develop gated integration circuitry. These experiments will be performed on
individual elements of an APD array.
The result of Phase I will demonstrate the feasibility of developing a
linear APD replacement for gated ICCDs in spectroscopy applications.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The proposed linear APD detector array will
significantly increase low light sensitivity of time-resolved spectroscopy
applications. These applications
include remote sensing LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), fluorescence decay
spectroscopy, chemical and biological detection.