SBIR Phase II: Development of a High Gain Imaging Avalanche Photodiode

这份小企业创新研究（SBIR）第二阶段合同将继续开发一种雪崩光电二极管，用于高增益光子成像设备。该项目的第二阶段包括针对两种低光成像应用优化的器件结构的开发：单个光光子成像器件，用于生成每个检测到的光光子事件的入射时间和位置，以及闪烁体耦合器件，用于提供在闪烁体块阵列中捕获的高能光子的入射时间和位置信息。成像雪崩光电二极管有望以更低的成本、更宽的动态范围替代基于微通道板的单光子成像探测器，并将以比传统图像文件更有利于快速分析的格式提供数据。该设备的应用包括各种新兴技术，用于生理和发育过程的实时体内成像，如报告基因活性、钙动力学和使用发光指示器的自由基产生。当与闪烁体块阵列耦合时，成像雪崩光电二极管承诺比目前基于光电倍增管的紧凑几何伽马射线成像应用方法具有更低的成本，更小的探测器模块，并且能够在高磁场中工作。成像雪崩光电二极管（IAPD）将导致一些重要的、可负担得起的基础研究和诊断筛查仪器的商业化。除了促进基于发光的研究外，IAPD还将为PET和两用模式提供更强大的伽马射线成像方法。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II award is to continue development of an avalanche photodiode for use as a high gain photon imaging device. Phase II of this project includes the development of device structures optimized for two applications in low light level imaging: a single optical photon imaging device that generates the time and position of incidence for each detected optical photon event, and a scintillator coupled device that provides time and position of incidence information for high energy photons captured in an array of scintillator blocks. The imaging avalanche photodiode promises a lower cost, wider dynamic range alternative to microchannel plate based single photon imaging detectors and will provide data in a format that is more conducive to rapid analysis than traditional image files. Applications for the device include a variety of emerging techniques for real time in-vivo imaging of physiological and developmental processes such as reporter gene activity, calcium dynamics and free radical production using luminescent indicators. When coupled to a scintillator block array, the imaging avalanche photodiode promises a lower cost, smaller detector module than current photomultiplier-based approaches for compact geometry gamma ray imaging applications, with the added feature of being able to operate in high magnetic fields. The imaging avalanche photodiodes (IAPD) will lead to the commercialization of a number of important, affordable instruments both for basic research as well as diagnostic screening. In addition to facilitating luminescence-based research, the IAPD will enable a more robust approach to gamma ray imaging for PET and dual use modalities.