The use of single photon counting methods in solving basic problems in chemiluminescent reactions
Single photon counting and fast coincidence system in nuclear physics experiment involving two body luminescent reaction
Emerson, J. A.↗
SEARCH · Engineering Papers
Results for “Photon counting”
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Photon-counting detector arrays based on microchannel array plates
The recent development of the channel electron multiplier (CEM) and its miniaturization into the microchannel array plate (MCP) offers the possibility of fully combining the advantages of the photographic and photoelectric detection systems. The MCP has an image-intensifying capability and the potential of being developed to yield signal outputs superior to those of conventional photomultipliers. In particular, the MCP has a photon-counting capability with a negligible dark-count rate. Furthermore, the MCP can operate stably and efficiently at extreme-ultraviolet and soft X-ray wavelengths in a windowless configuration or can be integrated with a photo-cathode in a sealed tube for use at ultraviolet and visible wavelengths. The operation of one- and two-dimensional photon-counting detector arrays based on the MCP at extreme-ultraviolet wavelengths is described, and the design of sealed arrays for use at ultraviolet and visible wavelengths is briefly discussed.
Timothy, J. G.↗
Maturing Electron Multiplying Charge Coupled Device Photon-Counting with Variable Multiplication Gain Imaging for a Coronagraphic Instrument
This is an introduction to a US Government Program that conducted high-contrast imaging experiments with an Electron Multiplying Charge Coupled Device (EMCCD) in an interferometric coronagraph. This report will introduce the concepts of “Charge Blooming” and “Starlight Saturation” in the context of high-contrast astronomical imaging. These phenomena adversely affect the performance of high-contrast photon-counting instruments that do not use a mask to physically block starlight in the science channel of the coronagraph. The problems will be presented with the help of images taken with a commercial EMCCD camera in the Visible Nulling Coronagraph at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). A new clocking scheme for EMCCDs – Variable Multiplication Gain Clocking – will be proposed as a means for suppressing horizontal blooming and starlight saturation in an astronomical camera. This opening report from the program will conclude with an introduction to a new controller for high-contrast imaging with EMCCDs in coronagraphs. This controller is being designed to allow a single frame from an EMCCD to be scanned in multiple modes – photon counting and digitization – to enable direct imaging of an exo-planet and wavefront control of a coronagraph, simultaneously.
Udayan Mallik↗
Calibration of photon counting imaging microchannel plate detectors for EUV astronomy
The calibration of photon counting imaging detectors for satellite based EUV astronomy is a complex process designed to ensure the validity of the data received 'in orbit'. The methods developed to accomplish calibration of microchannel plate detectors for the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer are described and illustrated. The characterization of these detectors can be subdivided into three categories: stabilization, performance tests, and environmental tests.
Siegmund, O. H. W.↗
Laser Transmitter Design and Performance for the Slope Imaging Multi-Polarization Photon-Counting Lidar (SIMPL) Instrument
The Slope Imaging Multi-polarization Photon-counting Lidar (SIMPL) instrument is a polarimetric, two-color, multibeam push broom laser altimeter developed through the NASA Earth Science Technology Office Instrument Incubator Program and has been flown successfully on multiple airborne platforms since 2008. In this talk we will discuss the laser transmitter performance and present recent science data collected over the Greenland ice sheet and sea ice in support of the NASA Ice Cloud and land Elevation Satellite 2 (ICESat-2) mission to be launched in 2017.
Yu, Anthony W.↗
Hybrid analog/digital, large format, photon counting detectors for astronomy
The development of a new microchannel plate photon-counting detector with an analog readout method based on a resistive anode is reported. This detector exhibits extremely high, stable electron gains of 10 to the 8th. At this gain, the spatial resolution is no longer primarily limited by the noise of the resistive anode, so that digital methods of readout, such as discrete conductors, lose their advantage. These detectors can be readily scaled to 40 mm and 70 mm formats to match plate scales of 2-m (and larger) telescopes. New, high speed digital electronics fully exploit the high spatial and time resolution made possible by gains of this level. Analysis of the theoretical performance of this detector shows that the major limitation to the spatial resolution is the proximity focus of the photocathode and the first microchannel plate. The detector has been mated to an echelle spectrograph developed.
Crocker, J.↗
Near-infrared Single-photon-counting Detectors for Free-space Laser Receivers
We compare several photon-counting detector technologies for use as near-infrared timeresolved laser receivers in science instrument, communication and navigation systems. The key technologies are InGaAs(P) photocathode hybrid photomultiplier tubes and InGaAs(P) and HgCdTe avalanche photodiodes. We discuss recent experimental results and application.
Krainak, Michael A.↗
Photon-counting image sensors for the ultraviolet
An investigation on specific performance details of photon counting, ultraviolet image sensors having 2-dimensional formats is reviewed. In one study, controlled experiments were performed which compare the quantum efficiencies, in pulse counting mode, of CsI photocathodes deposited on: (1) the front surface of a microchannel plate (MCP), (2) a solid surface in front of an MCP, and (3) an intensified CCD image sensor (ICCD) where a CCD is directly bombarded by accelerated photoelectrons. Tests indicated that the detection efficiency of the CsI-coated MCP at 1026 A is lower by a factor of 2.5 than that of the MCP with a separate, opaque CsI photocathode, and the detection efficiency ratio increases substantially at longer wavelengths (ratio is 5 at 1216 A and 20 at 1608 A).
Jenkins, E. B.↗
Linear Mode HgCdTe Avalanche Photodiodes for Photon Counting Applications
An overview of recent improvements in the understanding and maturity of linear mode photon counting with HgCdTe electron-initiated avalanche photodiodes is presented. The first HgCdTe LMPC 2x8 format array fabricated in 2011 with 64 micron pitch was a remarkable success in terms of demonstrating a high single photon signal to noise ratio of 13.7 with an excess noise factor of 1.3-1.4, a 7 ns minimum time between events, and a broad spectral response extending from 0.4 micron to 4.2 micron. The main limitations were a greater than 10x higher false event rate than expected of greater than 1 MHz, a 5-7x lower than expected APD gain, and a photon detection efficiency of only 50% when greater than 60% was expected. This paper discusses the reasons behind these limitations and the implementation of their mitigations with new results.
HgCdTe↗
Two-dimensional photon-counting detector arrays based on microchannel array plates
The production of simple and rugged photon-counting detector arrays has been made possible by recent improvements in the performance of the microchannel array plate (MCP) and by the parallel development of compatible electronic readout systems. The construction of proximity-focused MCP arrays of novel design in which photometric information from (n x m) picture elements is read out with a total of (n + m) amplifier and discriminator circuits is described. Results obtained with a breadboard (32 x 32)-element array employing 64 charge-sensitive amplifiers are presented, and the application of systems of this type in spectrometers and cameras for use with ground-based telescopes and on orbiting spacecraft discussed.
Timothy, J. G.↗
Design and Performance of a Multi-mode Photon-counting Receiver for the NASA Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System (O2O)
A multi-mode photon-counting optical receiver was designed for the NASA Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System (O2O) optical communications downlink. The receiver achieved error-free communications from 20 Mb/s to 267 Mb/s with single-photon-level sensitivity.
O2O↗
Characterizing the System Impulse Response Function from Photon-Counting LiDAR Data
NASA's Multiple Altimeter Beam Experimental LiDAR (MABEL) is an aircraft-based photon-counting laser altimeter designed as a simulator to test measurement techniques and algorithms for Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS), the sole instrument on NASA's Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) mission. By measuring the time of flight, pointing angle, and absolute position for individual photons, ICESat-2 provides detailed elevation measurements of earth's surface. Calculating accurate and precise elevations requires an understanding of how photons interact with surfaces, and characterization of the photon distribution after returning from surfaces. Neither MABEL nor ATLAS records the transmitted laser pulse shape, relying instead on aggregating several pulses worth of photons, often using histograms, to characterize the pulse shape. In this paper, we assess the limitations of using histograms and propose a more robust method to describe MABEL's system impulse-response function using an exponentially modified Gaussian distribution. We also provide standard error estimates for the arithmetic mean and standard deviation calculations, and for exponentially modified Gaussian parameters using a Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis. We apply this method to photon returns from a sea ice lead and from a dry salt lake bed as case studies for estimating the standard error associated with sample size for the arithmetic mean and standard deviation, and for the exponentially modified Gaussian parameters. We use these standard errors to calculate the minimum number of photons required to find both Gaussian and exponentially modified Gaussian distribution parameters within 3 cm of their parent population values.
photoncounting↗
Integrated photonic Galton board and its application for photon counting
The Galton board is a desktop probability machine traditionally used to visualize the principles of statistical physics from classical particles. Here, we demonstrate a photonic Galton board that enables on-chip observation of statistics from single-photon interference. The photonic Galton board consists of a directional coupler matrix terminated by an array of superconducting nanowire detectors to provide spatiotemporal resolution. This design also allows for photon-number-resolving capability, making it suitable for high-speed photon counting. Our results demonstrate the compatibility between single-photon detector array and photonic integrated circuits, paving the way for implementing on-chip large-scale quantum optics experiments and photonic quantum computing.
Qin, Hezheng (ORCID:0009000139348800)↗
Wedge and strip image readout systems for photon-counting detectors in space astronomy
EUV and far UV applications of wedge and strip anodes in photon-counting microchannel plate detector systems are discussed in light of performance data obtained as a result of EUV Explorer spacecraft open face detector and FAUST-Spacelab far UV sealed tube sensor calibrations. CsI quantum detection efficiencies of about 80 percent at 114 A and about 40 percent at 600 and 1300 A have been achieved; a position sensitivity of less than 10 microns is demonstrated, and the position resolution, image linearity, background rate, and flat-field characteristics are discussed.
Siegmund, O. H. W.↗
Photoionization of Trapped Carriers in Avalanche Photodiodes to Reduce Afterpulsing During Geiger-Mode Photon Counting
We reduced the afterpulsing probability by a factor of five in a Geiger-mode photon-counting InGaAs avalanche photodiode by using sub-band-gap (lambda = 1.95 micron) laser diode illumination, which we believe photoionizes the trapped carriers.
Krainak, Michael A.↗
UV photon counting detectors for high-altitude balloon and sounding rocket experiments
We report on development of ultraviolet photon counting detectors based on the 2D-doped and atomic layer deposition (ALD) custom coated electron multiplying CCD (EMCCDs) and their deployment in a high-altitude balloon experiment Faint Intergalactic-medium Redshifted Emission Balloon (FIREBall)-2 that was launched on September 22, 2018. The detector quantum efficiency (QE) was optimized for the narrow stratospheric window of a balloon at 200 - 225 nm.
Jones, Todd J.↗
The intensified charge coupled device as a photon counting imager
Actual and projected performance of an intensified charge coupled device (ICCD) to be used as a photon counting imager will be presented. Effects of tube processing on such important CCD parameters as charge transfer efficiency and dark current are discussed.
Williams, J. T.↗
Photon counting detectors for Fabry-Perot interferometers
Sealed channel plate photomultipliers with multiple discrete anodes for use as photon counting detectors in the image plane of Fabry-Perot interferometers are described. The influence of design and construction on performance of completed devices is discussed. Effects on spatial resolution, lifetime, and counting efficiency are described. It is shown that devices can be optimized for particular applications. The results should be generally applicable to resistive anode and wedge and strip anode types of sealed detectors.
Darlington, E. H.↗