GeSn Single Photon Avalanche diode Detectors

单光子雪崩二极管（spad）是一种能够精确检测单个光子的设备，其潜在应用包括用于自动驾驶汽车的激光雷达（3D测绘技术），以及量子密钥分发（通过光纤进行安全数据加密）。该项目将涉及GeSN SPAD探测器的设计、制造和测试，工作范围从近红外到中红外波长。许多应用要求器件工作波长不超过1550纳米，但目前的技术非常昂贵。GeSn spad将允许近红外探测，但由于与现有的硅代工基础设施兼容，成本可能较低。

Single photon avalanche diodes(SPADs) are devices that accurately time the detection of individual photons of light, with potential applications including LIDAR (3D mapping technology) for autonomous vehicles, as well as quantum key distribution (secure data encryption over optical fibre). The project will involve the design, fabrication and testing of GeSN SPAD detectors, operating from near to mid-infrared wavelengths. A number of applications require devices to work at wavelengths no greater than 1550 nm, but current technologies are extremely expensive. GeSn SPADs will allow NIR detection but at potentially low cost, due to compatibility with exisitng Si foundry infrastructure.