Laser and thermal annealing of single photon avalanche photodiodes in outer space

Malhar, Jere S.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/97861 Copy

Description

Title

Laser and thermal annealing of single photon avalanche photodiodes in outer space

Author(s)

Malhar, Jere S.

Contributor(s)

Kwiat, Paul G.

Issue Date

2017-05

Keyword(s)

• laser annealing
• thermal annealing
• laser and thermal annealing
• single photon avalanche
• photon avalanche polotiodes in outer space

Abstract

Single-photon detectors play a crucial role in Photonic Quantum Communication protocols, and to establish space-based quantum communication channels they will be essential. If these devices are to be deployed in space, they will be subject to intense cosmic radiation, particularly protons from the Sun, that will negatively affect their dark count rate (the number of photons counted in absence of light) and their efficiencies. In this project, we seek to test methods of fixing this damage using laser and thermal annealing. Our device will be placed within a satellite designed by the Satellite Development Team at UIUC, after which it will be launched by NASA aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station, whereupon it will be deployed in low-earth orbit. This project is multidisciplinary with multiple teams collaborating, namely Professor Kwiat’s research group at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Professor Thomas Jennewein’s research group at the University of Waterloo, and the Satellite Development Team at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. We present a preliminary proof-of-concept prototype along with a printed-circuit-board design that will serve as the basis for our final space-ready device that will be assembled and undergo several stringent tests to ensure it performs in the extremely harsh conditions of outer space.

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/97861

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