Efficient Low-Dark-Count Detector for Photon Counting

Award Information

Agency: Department of Commerce	Branch: National Institute of Standards and Technology	Award ID: 84383	Program Year/Program: 2009 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number: 409-08	Solicitation Year: N/A	Solicitation Topic Code: N/A	Solicitation Number: N/A

Small Business Information: Voxtel Inc.
15985 NW Schendel Avenue Suite 200 Beaverton, OR -
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Woman-Owned: No

Minority-Owned: No

HUBZone-Owned: No

Phase 2: Fiscal Year: 2009

Title: Efficient Low-Dark-Count Detector for Photon Counting

Agency / Branch: DOC / NIST

Contract: N/A

Award Amount: $299,998.00

Abstract:
Voxtel has demonstrated efficient high-speed photon counting with thresholded linear-mode avalanche photodiode (APD) receivers using multi-gain-stage InGaAs/InAIAs APDs. In contrast to Geiger APDs, thresholded photon-counting linear APD receivers are thought not to suffer afterpulsing, and can support maximum count rates (MCR) up to 2 or 3 orders of magnitude faster than Geiger APDs. However, the early embodiments of this new photon-counting receiver have a much higher dark count rate (DCR) than InGaAs Geiger-mode APDs. In the Phase II project, Voxtel proposes to reduce the dark count contributions from both the APD and the transimpedance amplifier by developing a new embodiment of the multi-stage APD in the Phase II program that substitutes InP for InAIAs in the multiplier, and simultaneously by fundamentally improving the amplification using a new, ultra-low-noise capacitive-feedback transimpedance amplifier (CTIA).

Principal Investigator:

Business Contact:

Small Business Information at Submission:

Voxtel, Inc.
12725 SW Millikan Way, Suite 230 Beaverton, OR 97005

EIN/Tax ID:

DUNS: N/A

Number of Employees: N/A

Woman-Owned: No

Minority-Owned: No

HUBZone-Owned: No