| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/M508299/1 |
| Title: |
Novel Mid IR single Photon Detectors for Quantum Systems |
| Principal Investigator: |
Marshall, Dr ARJ |
| Other Investigators: |
|
| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
|
| Project Partners: |
|
| Department: |
Physics |
| Organisation: |
Lancaster University |
| Scheme: |
Technology Programme |
| Starts: |
01 June 2015 |
Ends: |
31 May 2016 |
Value (£): |
49,492
|
| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
|
| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
|
| Related Grants: |
|
| Panel History: |
|
|
Summary on Grant Application Form |
This project will develop a new commercial single photon avalanche detector (SPAD) platform for the important SWIR,
MWIR and LWIR spectral ranges (1.7 - 12um). Conventional, many photon, photodiodes have been developed to provide
comprehensive coverage of the IR spectrum and in doing so have enabled a multitude of important photonic applications
and industries. As researchers and industry look to apply emerging quantum photonics, it is evident that available detector
technology is limiting the spectral ranges which can be exploited. Visible and IR applications below a wavelength of 1.7um,
are supported by existing Silicon and InP/InGaAs SPAD technologies. However, beyond these wavelengths there are no
SPAD technologies available and hence no single photon detectors that offer their speed of response, high operating
temperature and compact size, which are essential attributes for commercial viability.
The detector to be developed and prototyped in this project employs a novel barrier based structure, proprietary to
Amethyst Research Ltd. In recent years such barrier based structures have delivered leading performance metrics in many
photon IR detectors. The Amethyst barrier technology uniquely allows the barrier detector concept to be extended by
exciting internal avalanche gain, as exploited in SPADs. Preliminary characterisation at Lancaster University has
demonstrated this and shown the potential for the new family of SPAD detectors.
The project has the following milestones
Milestone 1: Design of Single Photon Quantum Avalanche Photo Diode (APD) based on Unipolar Barrier Detector (UBD)
architecture (Amethyst Research and Lancaster University)
Milestone 2: MBE Growth of the Quantum APD Structure (Lancaster University)
Lancaster University have vast experience in growing III-V related semiconductor materials. Hence, for this program, the
APD structure will be grown at Lancaster University.
Milestone 3: Quantum APD Fabrication (CST)
Devices will be processed from wafer grown in Milestone 2 using state-of-the-art cleanroom facilities at Compound
Semiconductor Technologies (CST).
Milestone 4: Quantum APD Testing and Sub-System Integration (Amethyst Research, Lancaster University and
subcontracted system OEMs)
|
|
Key Findings |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Potential use in non-academic contexts |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Impacts |
|
| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
|
| Date Materialised |
|
|
|
|
Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
| Project URL: |
|
| Further Information: |
|
| Organisation Website: |
http://www.lancs.ac.uk |