Q3MD: single photon sensitive detector for methane gas detection operating at 3µm

Q3MD：用于甲烷气体检测的单光子敏感探测器，工作波长为 3 µm

• 批准号: 10032014
• 金额: $ 44.28万
• 依托单位: REDWAVE LABS LTD
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Collaborative R&D
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2022 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=10032014
• 关键词: Q3MD; single; photon; sensitive; detector

For the UK to reach a zero-carbon economy, the measurement, regulation, and enforcement of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions needs to rapidly expand. Natural gas (primarily CH4 methane) remains the dominant fossil fuel and industrial leaks are a leading source of GHGs. Currently there are a lack of surveying methods and equipment for the European Union's (EU) ~200,000km of high-pressure pipeline, the UK's ~7,660km of high-pressure pipeline and the ~500,000km of high-pressure pipe-line in the United States in addition to the 100s of above-ground facilities.The project seeks to develop a single photon sensitive detector for methane gas detection operating at 3µm. Methane can be detected at much lower concentrations at this wavelength than at the 1.65µm used in commercial detectors. By applying Differential Absorption Lidar and Time Correlated Single Photon Counting, we can extend the remote spectroscopy capabilities to increase the distance range or decrease the response time; by accessing the 3µm spectral region, low concentration sensitivity is to be increased up to 50-fold. In addition, we can expand the gas species and target other applications are that currently not addressable with a SWIR wavelength.The technical approach is to combine unique III-V alloy material developments with innovative science and engineering at Bay Photonics (optics packaging), Redwave Labs (control electronics) and QLM (signal processing and spectral analysis). The aim will be to optimize solid state cooling to bring the detector to very low temperatures without having recourse to Stirling engines. The project specifications, modelling and detector validation for methane applications will be led by the channel partner QLM. The overall goal is a detector resolvable to single photon/few photon level at 3 µm and evaluated in bench top prototype form.

英国要实现零碳经济，就需要迅速扩大温室气体（GHG）排放的测量、监管和执法。天然气（主要是甲烷）仍然是主要的化石燃料，工业泄漏是温室气体的主要来源。目前，欧盟（EU）约20万公里的高压管道、英国约7,660公里的高压管道和英国约500公里的高压管道缺乏测量方法和设备，美国的高压管道，除了100多万公里外，该项目力求开发一种用于探测甲烷气体的单光子灵敏探测器，探测波长为3微米。在此波长下可以检测到比商业检测器中使用的1.65µm低得多的甲烷浓度。通过应用差分吸收激光雷达和时间相关单光子计数，我们可以扩展远程光谱功能，以增加距离范围或缩短响应时间;通过访问3µm光谱区域，低浓度灵敏度将增加高达50倍。此外，我们还可以扩展气体种类，并针对目前SWIR波长无法解决的其他应用。技术方法是将独特的III-V合金材料开发与Bay Photonics（光学封装），Redwave Labs（控制电子）和QLM（信号处理和光谱分析）的创新科学和工程相结合。其目的是优化固态冷却，使探测器达到非常低的温度，而无需求助于斯特林发动机。甲烷应用的项目规格、建模和检测器验证将由渠道合作伙伴QLM领导。总体目标是在3 µm处可分辨到单光子/少光子水平的探测器，并以台式原型形式进行评估。