Low noise, high-throughput, time-resolved single-photon sensor for quantum applications

为了提高效率和速度，需要能够并行化时间分辨单光子计数（TCSPC）的量子传感器。然而，不同的应用需要不同的面积、线和阵列传感器架构。根据本次呼叫的量子增强/单光子成像范围，我们将开发光纤/s馈电，低噪声，1024倍并行TCSPC探测器阵列的演示原型。我们将探索该产品可以成为英国量子路线图中确定的关键应用技术的领域，包括监控，激光雷达，显微镜，医学成像，光谱学等。我们将创新地将原型TCSPC阵列与新型光耦合技术相结合，有效地将光从单个多模光纤或单模光纤阵列分配到传感器像素。通过这个项目，Photon Force将推进其产品组合，从而实现未来一系列完全集成的TCSPC产品，这些产品立即适用于新市场。开发的集成光学耦合技术将使我们能够快速响应对新型量子成像传感器的新兴需求，并将在更广泛的量子计量，传感，信息和科学中发挥作用。Heriot Watt和Fraunhofer UK将受益于早期使用最先进的量子图像传感器。赫瑞瓦特大学在单光子科学方面拥有大量世界领先的研究成果，特别关注第一光子成像，应用范围从医疗仪器的弹道成像到飞行中的光成像。

There is demand for quantum sensors that are capable of parallelised time-resolved single photon counting (TCSPC) to enhance efficiency and speed. However, various applications require different area, line, and array sensor architectures. In line with the quantum enhanced/single photon imaging scope of this call, we will develop demonstrator prototypes of a fibre/s-fed, low noise, 1024-fold parallelised TCSPC detector array. We will explore areas where this product can become a key enabling technology for applications identified in the UK Quantum Roadmap, including surveillance, LIDAR, microscopy, medical imaging, spectroscopy etc. We will innovatively combine a prototype TCSPC array with novel optical coupling technologies, efficiently distributing light from either a single multimode fibre, or an array of single-mode fibres, to the sensor pixels.Through this project, Photon Force will advance its product portfolio leading to a future range of fully integrated TCSPC products that are immediately suitable for new markets. The developed integrated optical coupling technologies will allow us to respond rapidly to emerging demands for new quantum imaging sensors, and will have a role to play in wider quantum metrology, sensing, information and science. Heriot Watt and Fraunhofer UK will benefit from early access to state-of-the-art quantum image sensors. Heriot Watt has a critical mass of world-leading research in single-photon science, with a particular focus on first-photon imaging, for applications ranging from ballistic imaging of medical instruments, to imaging light-in-flight.