Novel Mid IR single Photon Detectors for Quantum Systems

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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 providecomprehensive coverage of the IR spectrum and in doing so have enabled a multitude of important photonic applicationsand industries. As researchers and industry look to apply emerging quantum photonics, it is evident that available detectortechnology 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 noSPAD technologies available and hence no single photon detectors that offer their speed of response, high operatingtemperature 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 toAmethyst Research Ltd. In recent years such barrier based structures have delivered leading performance metrics in manyphoton IR detectors. The Amethyst barrier technology uniquely allows the barrier detector concept to be extended byexciting internal avalanche gain, as exploited in SPADs. Preliminary characterisation at Lancaster University hasdemonstrated this and shown the potential for the new family of SPAD detectors.The project has the following milestonesMilestone 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, theAPD 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 CompoundSemiconductor Technologies (CST).Milestone 4: Quantum APD Testing and Sub-System Integration (Amethyst Research, Lancaster University andsubcontracted system OEMs)