Germanium-Tin Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes Detectors for Imaging and Sensing Applications

单光子雪崩二极管（spad）是一种能够精确测定单光子到达时间的器件。在短波红外（SWIR）下工作的spad有许多应用，包括3D成像（例如用于自动车辆激光雷达）和甲烷等污染物的遥感。目前最先进的技术是昂贵的，并且仅限于低重复率。该项目将开发SWIR spad，该spad与使用普遍存在的Si铸造厂的制造兼容，使其适合于低成本的大规模生产。这可以通过使用基于GeSn合金的吸收材料来扩展标准Si spad的吸收来实现。该学生将设计、制造和表征这种具有颠覆性技术潜力的gsn -on- si spad，以目前可用技术的一小部分成本实现远程激光雷达成像和传感系统。

Single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) are devices that can precisely time the arrival of single photons of light. SPADs operating in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) have numerous applications including 3D imaging (e.g. for autonomous vehicle LIDAR) and in remote sensing of pollutants such as methane. Current state-of-the-art technology is expensive and is limited to low repetition rates. This project will develop SWIR SPADs which are compatible with fabrication using ubiquitous Si foundries, making them suitable for mass manufacturing at low cost. This can be achieved by extending the absorption of standard Si SPADs with an absorbing material based on GeSn alloys. The student will be designing, fabricating and characterising such GeSn-on-Si SPADs, which have the real potential to be a disruptive technology, enabling long range LIDAR imaging and sensing systems at a fraction of the cost of currently available technology.