Next-generation APD detector arrays for interferometric imaging

用于干涉成像的下一代 APD 探测器阵列

• 批准号: ST/X005143/1
• 负责人: Stefan Kraus
• 金额: $ 38.7万
• 依托单位: UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 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=ST%2FX005143%2F1
• 关键词: Next; generation; APD; detector; arrays

Creating images of the physical world is a universal task that spans physics, astronomy, life sciences, and numerous other disciplines. Detectors are the key technology to register light and to translate it into an electronic signal. However, the read-out process in detectors also introduces noise, in particular when observing at infrared wavelengths and when using very high frame rates. Avalanche photodiodes are a disruptive new detector technology that overcome the read-noise problem by amplifying the signal before it is being read out. Unfortunately, 1st-generation APD devices suffered from severe limitations, in particular a high background level that prevents long integration times and a small pixel format of these devices. We will procure two devices, where the first one will allow us to improve the sensitivity of our MIRC-X 6-telescope imager. The second device will enable technology developments using the latest generation of large-format APDs, where the goal is to characterise & optimise the read noise and dark current performance of the camera in the lab and then to deploy it in our upcoming BIFROST visitor instrument at the VLTI. This will benefit the research pursued by our STFC project as well as the research pursued by a broad community of users. We will engage with stakeholders in other disciplines to explore whether the large-format devices are suitable for applications outside of astronomy, for instance in biophysics and medicine.

创建物理世界的图像是跨越物理，天文学，生命科学和许多其他学科的普遍任务。探测器是注册光并将其转换为电子信号的关键技术。但是，检测器中的读出过程也引入了噪声，特别是在使用非常高的帧速率时观察红外波长时。雪崩光电二极管是一种破坏性的新探测器技术，可以通过在读出信号之前放大信号来克服读取问题。不幸的是，第一代APD设备受到严重限制，特别是高背景水平，可防止整合时间和这些设备的小像素格式。我们将采购两个设备，其中第一个设备将使我们能够提高MIRC-X 6-TeleScope Imager的灵敏度。第二个设备将使用最新一代的大型APD来实现技术开发，其目标是表征和优化实验室中相机的读取噪声和深色电流性能，然后在VLTI的即将到来的Bifrost访问者仪器中部署它。这将使我们的STFC项目以及广泛的用户社区所做的研究受益。我们将与其他学科的利益相关者互动，以探索大型设备是否适合天文学之外的应用，例如生物物理和医学。