A significant number of applications are currently in need of large area photon detectors. Among these, LIDAR receivers require detectors with high external quantum efficiency in order to increase the signal-to-noise ration for a given laser output, or to reduce the laser power while maintaining the same sensitivity. Conventional detections schemes based on photo-multipliers tubes (PMTs) or solid-state avalanche photodetectors (APDs) have limitations that impact the overall system performance. It is then necessary to devise alternative approaches that provide, at the same time, detectors with high external quantum efficiency, possible grater than 90%, and uniformity over a large area. Key issues in delivering a successful solution can be identified in the following areas: the development of a highly spatially uniform approach to absorb photon employing photonics structure; - the efficient collection of the photo-generated carries; - the collection and processing of the detectors output signal. The proposed work addresses the aforementioned issues by developing a novel approach to large area photon detections.
Benefit: Our commercialization strategy is to be the supplier of a superior optical antenna systems. We expect the novel antenna system to have excellent quantum efficiency in the 450 to 490 nanometer range. We also expect our antenna to have bandwidth in excess of 100 MHz with low noise. With our new technology and superior performance we believe we will have many interested DoD and private sector customers. Our novel technology guided by well thought out theoretical modeling coupled with careful experimental work distinguishes our approach and will speed our new system to market.
Keywords: quantum efficiency, quantum efficiency, photo detector, meta-material, optical antenna
