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Details of Grant 

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
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Impacts
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Summary
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Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.lancs.ac.uk