Linear Geiger Mode Detector Technology for Time Resolved Spectral Measurements

本项目的主要目标是开发一种新的检测系统，用于经济有效的时间分辨光子计数光谱测量，最初针对的是时间分辨拉曼光谱(TRRS)。TRRS是一种公认的从瞬发拉曼光子中去除延迟荧光信号的方法，特别是对于荧光信号通常要大得多的有机样品。尽管TRRS作为一种非常强大的样品分析技术，但由于成本和复杂性，其应用有限。目前可用的TRRS系统通过使用选通增强型CCD或通过使用快速光学选通技术来分离拉曼信号和荧光信号。这两种方法都很复杂，成本很高，而且仅限于实验室环境。这项提议旨在通过将谢菲尔德大学开发的SPAD线性阵列与莱斯特大学开发的快速读出电子设备相结合，生产一种新的、更小、更便宜的探测系统，用于TRRS和其他时间分辨光谱测量。该系统将通过光子时间戳为拉曼和荧光信号提供必要的时间区分，而不是选通。这种仪器有望在从安全应用(如假冒材料识别和药品质量控制)到生物应用(包括蛋白质制造和潜在的癌症标志物识别)等领域开辟新的商业应用。成本效益高的时间分辨拉曼仪器将是颠覆性技术，受益范围从项目合作伙伴到商业利润和许可，以及关键部件的供应商，包括商业探测器和来自英国和欧洲公司的高重复率激光。潜在的最终用户受益者包括制药公司及其客户、安全服务机构和普通公众，通过改进对危险和非法材料的检测，以及通过可能在癌症检测方面的进步而改善公众福祉。探测器系统还可能改变许多其他商业应用的游戏规则。这些项目包括：用于3D成像和环境监测的激光雷达；用于生物研究、药物发现和临床诊断的荧光寿命成像和相关技术；以及用于污染监测和医疗诊断的腔增强吸收光谱微量气体分析。该项目基于之前由STFC资助的莱斯特大学、谢菲尔德大学和欧洲核子研究中心对探测器和电子学的研究。谢菲尔德大学电子与电气工程系已经对SPAD进行了超过15年的研究。最近的知识交流活动包括与莱斯特大学的红外APD线性阵列，与莱斯特大学的X射线APDS，与LAND国际有限公司的用于辐射测温的光电二极管/APDS，以及与Lasertel.以前的STFC支持已资助拉平顿PI开发用于生命科学领域商业应用的非常高时间分辨率的像素化微通道板式光电倍增管系统，基于与CERN合作开发的具有皮秒事件定时分辨率的模块化多通道高速电子设备。该电子学使用了两个由欧洲核子研究中心为大型强子对撞机-爱丽丝实验开发的超高速ASIC，采用模块化设计，允许系统多达1024个通道。莱斯特大学及其商业合作伙伴IS-Instruments最近获得了TSB资助的“新兴成像技术”可行性研究，用于对TRRS的这项新技术进行初步研究。这个新项目将把这项技术从概念验证转移到TRRS的商业原型上，这将使IS-Instruments能够将一套能够及时分离信号的新光谱仪系统商业化，从而产生具有成本效益的手持式TRRS光谱仪的潜力。

The primary objective of this project is to develop an new class of detection system for cost effective time-resolved photon counting spectral measurement, initially aimed at time-resolved Raman spectroscopy (TRRS). TRRS is an established method to remove the delayed fluorescence signal from the prompt Raman photons, particularly for organic samples where the fluorescence signal is often much larger. Though very powerful as a sample analysis technique, TRRS has had limited uptake due to cost and complexity. Currently available TRRS systems separate the Raman and fluorescence signals by using either a gated Intensified CCD, or by using fast optical gating technology. Both approaches are complex, expensive and restricted to laboratory environments. This proposal aims to produce a new, smaller, cheaper class of detection system for TRRS and other time-resolved spectral measurements by integrating a SPAD linear array developed by the University of Sheffield with the fast readout electronics developed by the University of Leicester. Instead of gating, this system will provide the necessary time differentiation of Raman and fluorescence signals by photon time stamping.Such an instrument is expected to open up new commercial applications in to fields ranging from security applications such as identification of counterfeit materials and pharmaceutical quality control, to biological applications including protein manufacture and potentially identification of cancer markers. A cost effective time-resolved Raman instrument would be disruptive technology with beneficiaries ranging from the project partners through commercial profit and licensing, suppliers of key components including commercial detector and high rep rate lasers from UK and European companies. Potential end-user beneficiaries include drug companies and their customers, the security services and general public through improved detection of hazardous and illegal materials, and public well-being through possible advances in cancer detection.The detector system is also potentially game-changing for a number of other commercial applications. These include: LIDAR for 3D imaging and environmental monitoring; fluorescence lifetime imaging and related technologies for biological research, drug discovery and clinical diagnostics; and trace gas analysis using cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy for pollution monitoring and medical diagnostics.The project work is based on previous STFC-funded research into detectors and electronics at the Universities of Leicester and Sheffield and at CERN.The Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering at the University of Sheffield has been carrying out research into SPADs for over 15 years. Recent knowledge exchange activities include IR APD linear array with LIDAR Technology, X-ray APDs with University of Leicester, photodiodes/APDs for radiation thermometry with LAND Instrument International Ltd, and IR APD with Lasertel.Previous STFC support has funded the PI, Lapington, to develop very high time resolution pixellated microchannel plate photomultiplier systems for commercial applications in the life science arena, based on a modular, multichannel high speed electronics with picosecond event timing resolution developed in collaboration with CERN. The electronics utilise two very high speed CERN-designed ASICs developed for the LHC-ALICE experiment in a modular design allowing systems with up to 1024 channels.The University of Leicester and commercial partner, IS-Instruments, were recently awarded a TSB-funded "Emerging Imaging Technologies" feasibility study for preliminary investigation of this new technique for TRRS. This new project will move the technology from proof of concept to a commercial prototype for TRRS which will allow IS-Instruments to commercialise a new suite of spectrometer systems capable of separating signals in time, generating the potential for cost effective, hand-held TRRS spectrometer.