Astronomical Observational Techniques and Instrumentation RIT Course Number 1060-771 Professor Don Figer Quantum-Limited Detectors 1 Aims for this lecture • Motivate the need for future detectors • Describe physical principles of future detectors • Review some promising technologies for future detectors 2 Motivation for Future Detectors 3 Improving Detectors • Detector properties limit sensitivity in most applications. • For instance, dark current and read noise are important in low flux applications. • Detectivity is a measure of system effectiveness. F tQE inst A S h SNR N Fback , tQE idark t N 2read F tQE inst A inst A h h N tQE SNR N tQE N ,background tQE n pixidark t n pix N 2read Sensit ivity flux at whichSNR 1 N , SNR 1tQE SNR 1 N , SNR 1tQE N ,background tQE n pixidark t n pix N 2read N , SNR 1tQE N ,background tQE n pixidark t n pix N 2read ( N , SNR 1tQE) 2 N , SNR 1 tQE (tQE) 2 4(tQE) 2 ( N ,background tQE n pixidark t n pix N 2read ) Detectivity Detectivity 2(tQE) 2 1 1 sensitivity N , SNR 1 2tQE 1 1 4( N ,background tQE n pixidark t n pix N 2read ) . 4 Detectivity in Broadband Applications read noise FOM 0 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Detectivity Metric Quantum Efficiency 10% 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.1 1.1 1.0 1.0 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.8 20% 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.1 2.1 2.0 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.7 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.5 1.4 30% 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.1 3.1 3.0 3.0 2.9 2.8 2.7 2.7 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.1 2.1 40% 3.9 3.9 3.8 3.8 3.7 3.7 3.6 3.5 3.4 3.4 3.3 3.2 3.1 3.0 2.9 2.9 2.8 2.7 2.6 50% 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.3 4.3 4.2 4.2 4.1 4.0 3.9 3.8 3.7 3.7 3.6 3.5 3.4 3.3 3.2 3.1 60% 4.9 4.9 4.9 4.8 4.8 4.7 4.7 4.6 4.5 4.4 4.3 4.3 4.2 4.1 4.0 3.9 3.8 3.7 3.6 70% 5.4 5.4 5.3 5.3 5.2 5.2 5.1 5.0 5.0 4.9 4.8 4.7 4.6 4.5 4.4 4.3 4.3 4.2 4.1 80% 5.8 5.8 5.7 5.7 5.7 5.6 5.5 5.5 5.4 5.3 5.2 5.1 5.1 5.0 4.9 4.8 4.7 4.6 4.5 90% 6.2 6.2 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.0 5.9 5.9 5.8 5.7 5.6 5.6 5.5 5.4 5.3 5.2 5.1 5.0 4.9 100% 6.6 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.4 6.4 6.3 6.3 6.2 6.1 6.0 5.9 5.8 5.8 5.7 5.6 5.5 5.4 5.3 green=detectivity greater than that for baseline (QE=70%, read noise=5e-) pink=detectivity less than that for baseline Figure 3. Detectivity as a function of quantum efficiency and read noise for broadband astrophysics applications. 5 Detectivity in Low Flux Broadband Applications read noise FOM 0 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Detectivity Metric Quantum Efficiency 10% 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 20% 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 30% 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 40% 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 50% 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 60% 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 70% 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 80% 0.5 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 90% 0.5 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 100% 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 green=detectivity greater than that for baseline (QE=70%, read noise=5e-) pink=detectivity less than that for baseline Figure 4. Same parameters as used to generate Figure 3, except the exposure time is only 5 seconds, instead of 10 minutes. It is apparent that read noise becomes a dominant factor in detectivity for this case. 6 Detectivity in Narrowband Applications read noise FOM 0 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Detectivity Metric Quantum Efficiency 10% 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 20% 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 30% 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 40% 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 50% 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 60% 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 70% 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 80% 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 90% 1.0 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 100% 1.1 1.1 1.0 0.9 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 green=detectivity greater than that for baseline (QE=70%, read noise=5e-) pink=detectivity less than that for baseline Figure 5. Detectivity as a function of quantum efficiency and read noise for narrowband astrophysics applications. 7 Detectivity in Narrowband Applications with Low Dark Current read noise FOM 0 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Detectivity Metric Quantum Efficiency 10% 1.4 0.7 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 20% 2.2 1.3 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 30% 2.9 1.8 0.8 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 40% 3.5 2.4 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 50% 4.0 2.8 1.3 1.0 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 60% 4.5 3.3 1.5 1.2 1.0 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 70% 4.9 3.7 1.8 1.4 1.1 1.0 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 80% 5.3 4.1 2.0 1.6 1.3 1.1 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 90% 5.7 4.5 2.3 1.8 1.4 1.2 1.1 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 100% 6.1 4.8 2.5 2.0 1.6 1.3 1.2 1.0 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 green=detectivity greater than that for baseline (QE=70%, read noise=5e-) pink=detectivity less than that for baseline Figure 6. Same parameters as used to generate Figure 5, except the dark current is 0.0001 electrons/second/pixel, instead of 0.1 electrons/second/pixel. It is apparent that read noise becomes a dominant factor in detectivity for this case. Also, note that the detectivity is comparable to that for the broadband imaging case modeled in Figure 3. 8 Detectivity in Spectroscopic Applications read noise FOM 0 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Detectivity Metric Quantum Efficiency 10% 0.0004 0.0004 0.0004 0.0004 0.0004 0.0003 0.0003 0.0003 0.0003 0.0003 0.0002 0.0002 0.0002 0.0002 0.0002 0.0002 0.0002 0.0002 0.0002 20% 0.0009 0.0009 0.0008 0.0008 0.0007 0.0007 0.0006 0.0006 0.0006 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.0004 0.0004 0.0004 0.0004 0.0004 0.0003 0.0003 30% 0.0013 0.0013 0.0012 0.0011 0.0011 0.0010 0.0010 0.0009 0.0008 0.0008 0.0007 0.0007 0.0007 0.0006 0.0006 0.0006 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 40% 0.0017 0.0017 0.0016 0.0015 0.0014 0.0014 0.0013 0.0012 0.0011 0.0011 0.0010 0.0009 0.0009 0.0008 0.0008 0.0008 0.0007 0.0007 0.0007 50% 0.0021 0.0021 0.0020 0.0019 0.0018 0.0017 0.0016 0.0015 0.0014 0.0013 0.0012 0.0012 0.0011 0.0010 0.0010 0.0009 0.0009 0.0009 0.0008 60% 0.0026 0.0026 0.0024 0.0023 0.0022 0.0020 0.0019 0.0018 0.0017 0.0016 0.0015 0.0014 0.0013 0.0013 0.0012 0.0011 0.0011 0.0010 0.0010 70% 0.0030 0.0030 0.0028 0.0027 0.0025 0.0024 0.0022 0.0021 0.0020 0.0019 0.0017 0.0016 0.0016 0.0015 0.0014 0.0013 0.0013 0.0012 0.0011 80% 0.0034 0.0034 0.0032 0.0031 0.0029 0.0027 0.0026 0.0024 0.0023 0.0021 0.0020 0.0019 0.0018 0.0017 0.0016 0.0015 0.0014 0.0014 0.0013 90% 0.0039 0.0038 0.0036 0.0034 0.0033 0.0031 0.0029 0.0027 0.0025 0.0024 0.0022 0.0021 0.0020 0.0019 0.0018 0.0017 0.0016 0.0015 0.0015 100% 0.0043 0.0043 0.0040 0.0038 0.0036 0.0034 0.0032 0.0030 0.0028 0.0026 0.0025 0.0023 0.0022 0.0021 0.0020 0.0019 0.0018 0.0017 0.0016 green=detectivity greater than that for baseline (QE=70%, read noise=5e-) pink=detectivity less than that for baseline Figure 7. Detectivity as a function of quantum efficiency and read noise for high resolution spectroscopy astrophysics applications. 9 Detectivity in Spectroscopic Applications with Low Dark Current read noise FOM 0 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Detectivity Metric Quantum Efficiency 10% 0.0036 0.0024 0.0010 0.0008 0.0007 0.0005 0.0005 0.0004 0.0004 0.0003 0.0003 0.0003 0.0003 0.0002 0.0002 0.0002 0.0002 0.0002 0.0002 20% 0.0073 0.0048 0.0021 0.0016 0.0013 0.0011 0.0009 0.0008 0.0007 0.0007 0.0006 0.0006 0.0005 0.0005 0.0004 0.0004 0.0004 0.0004 0.0004 30% 0.0109 0.0072 0.0031 0.0024 0.0020 0.0016 0.0014 0.0012 0.0011 0.0010 0.0009 0.0008 0.0008 0.0007 0.0007 0.0006 0.0006 0.0006 0.0005 40% 0.0146 0.0096 0.0042 0.0032 0.0026 0.0022 0.0019 0.0017 0.0015 0.0013 0.0012 0.0011 0.0010 0.0010 0.0009 0.0008 0.0008 0.0007 0.0007 50% 0.0182 0.0120 0.0052 0.0040 0.0033 0.0027 0.0024 0.0021 0.0018 0.0017 0.0015 0.0014 0.0013 0.0012 0.0011 0.0010 0.0010 0.0009 0.0009 60% 0.0219 0.0144 0.0063 0.0048 0.0039 0.0033 0.0028 0.0025 0.0022 0.0020 0.0018 0.0017 0.0015 0.0014 0.0013 0.0013 0.0012 0.0011 0.0011 70% 0.0255 0.0168 0.0073 0.0056 0.0046 0.0038 0.0033 0.0029 0.0026 0.0023 0.0021 0.0019 0.0018 0.0017 0.0016 0.0015 0.0014 0.0013 0.0012 80% 0.0292 0.0192 0.0084 0.0064 0.0052 0.0044 0.0038 0.0033 0.0030 0.0027 0.0024 0.0022 0.0021 0.0019 0.0018 0.0017 0.0016 0.0015 0.0014 90% 0.0328 0.0215 0.0094 0.0072 0.0059 0.0049 0.0042 0.0037 0.0033 0.0030 0.0027 0.0025 0.0023 0.0022 0.0020 0.0019 0.0018 0.0017 0.0016 100% 0.0365 0.0239 0.0104 0.0080 0.0065 0.0055 0.0047 0.0041 0.0037 0.0033 0.0030 0.0028 0.0026 0.0024 0.0022 0.0021 0.0020 0.0019 0.0018 green=detectivity greater than that for baseline (QE=70%, read noise=5e-) pink=detectivity less than that for baseline Figure 8. Same parameters as used to generate Figure 7, except the dark current is 0.001 electrons/second/pixel, instead of 0.1 electrons/second/pixel. It is apparent that read noise becomes a dominant factor in detectivity for this case. 10 Read Noise The Importance of Read Noise in Imaging Images of the Arches cluster near the Galactic center, based on real data obtained with Keck/LGSAO. Each image has synthetic shot noise and increasing read noise (left to right and top to bottom: 0, 5, 10, 100 electrons). 11 Aperture vs. Read Noise Effective Telescope Size vs. Read Noise Telescope Diameter (m) 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Read Noise (electrons) This plot shows a curve of constant sensitivity for a range of telescope diameters and detector read noise values in low-light applications. A 30 meter telescope and zero read noise detector would deliver the same signal-to-noise ratio as a 60 meter telescope with current detectors. 12 Very Low Light Level - ExoPlanet Imaging • The exposure time required to achieve SNR=1 is dramatically reduced for a zero read noise detector, as compared to detectors with state of the art read noise. read noise FOM 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Exposure Time (seconds) for SNR = 1 Quantum Efficiency 10% 6,600 7,159 8,486 10,148 11,954 13,830 15,745 17,684 20% 2,300 2,674 3,457 4,363 5,312 6,281 7,259 8,244 30% 1,311 1,591 2,141 2,760 3,402 4,053 4,709 5,368 40% 900 1,123 1,547 2,016 2,500 2,990 3,484 3,979 50% 680 865 1,209 1,587 1,976 2,369 2,764 3,161 60% 544 703 992 1,309 1,633 1,961 2,291 2,621 70% 453 591 841 1,113 1,392 1,673 1,956 2,239 80% 388 510 730 968 1,212 1,459 1,706 1,954 90% 338 448 645 857 1,074 1,293 1,513 1,734 100% 300 400 577 768 964 1,161 1,359 1,558 mag_star=5, mag_planet=30, R=100, i_dark=0.0010 13 Principles of Quantum Limited Detectors 14 Key Capabilities for Future Improvement • • • • • • • • • photon-counting (zero read noise) wavelength-resolving polarization-measuring low power large area in-pixel processing high dynamic range high speed time resolution 15 QLID Technology Contenders Table 1. Quantum-limited Detector Technologies. Superconductors Semiconductors Transition Edge Sensor (TES) energy resolution operating temperature of tens of mK Electron Multiplying CCD (EMCCD) commercially available excess noise factor Superconducting Tunnel Junction (STJ) energy resolution operating temperature of mK, leakage current Linear Mode Avalance Photodiode (LM-APD) ns time constant excess noise factor (although MCT has ~no excess noise) Kinetic Inductance Detector (KID) energy resolution ms time constant Geiger Mode Avalance Photodiode (GM-APD) large pulse per photon afterpulsing Superconducting Single Photon Detectors (SSPD) ns time constant low fill-factor, polarized, few K 16 Key to Single-Photon Counting • A photon-counting system requires that the ratio of signal from a single photon to the noise of the system be big enough to detect. photo- generatedsignal big enough noise of system • This can be achieved by: – – – – increasing numerator (e.g., charge gain) decreasing denominator (e.g., cooling, better circuits) decreasing what is “big enough” (e.g., better processing) combination of all 17 Superconductors • Most metals have descreased resistance with lower temperature, but they still have finite resistance at T=0 K. • Superconductors lose all resistance to electrical current at some temperature, Tc. Examples include: Pb, Al, Sn, and Nb. • Electrons in superconductors bond as “Cooper pairs” that do not interact with the ion lattice below Tc because the required interaction energy exceeds the thermal energy in the crystal. • In general, Tc<4.2 K. • Recent developments have produced “high” temperature superconductors, for which Tc>77 K (temperature of liquid nitrogen). 18 Slide Title 19 Avalanche Photodiodes (APDs) 20 Geiger-Mode Imager: Photon-to-Digital Conversion Pixel circuit Digital timing circuit photon APD Quantum-limited sensitivity Noiseless readout Photon counting or timing Digitally encoded photon flight time APD/CMOS array Lenslet array Focal-plane concept 21 Geiger-Mode Operation 22 Gain of an APD M Ordinary photodiode Linear-mode APD Geiger-mode APD 100 10 1 0 Response to a photon Breakdown I(t) 1 M ∞ 23 Operation of Avalanche Diode Linear on Geiger mode mode on Linear Geiger quench mode mode avalanche Current off off arm Vdc + V Vbr Voltage 24 Avalanche Diode Architecture -V hν Quartz substrate p+ implant (collects holes) low E-field 10 µm p+ implant high E-field n+ implant (collects electrons) metal metal metal 0.5 µm bump bond ROIC +V 25 Performance Parameters Photon detection efficiency (PDE) The probability that a single incident photon initiates a current pulse that registers in a digital counter Dark count Rate (DCR)/Probability (DCP) Single photon input APD output The probability that a count is triggered by dark current instead of incident photons time Discriminator level Digital comparator output time time Successful single photon detection Photon absorbed but insufficient gain – missed count Dark count – from dark current 26 APD Charge Gain • Show animation with thumping euro-techno disco music http://techresearch.intel.com/spaw2/uploads/files/SiliconPhotonics.html 27 32x32 Timing Circuit Array Pixels 0.35-mm CMOS process fabricated through MOSIS 1.2 GHz on-chip clock Two vernier bits 0.2-ns timing quantization 100-mm spacing to match the 32x32 APD array Time bin Vernier bits Counter Timing image/histogram measuring propagation of electronic trigger signal 28 32x32 APD/CMOS Array with Integrated GaP Microlenses 29 Shortcomings of Conventional Imaging • When the 3D world is projected into a flat intensity image, there is a huge information loss. • Image processing algorithms attempt to use intensity edges to infer properties of 3D objects. • Consequences of lost information for automated image segmentation and target detection/recognition: – Depth ambiguity – Sensitivity to lighting, reflectivity patterns, and point of observation – Obscuration and camouflage 30 Ladar Imaging System Microchip laser Geiger-mode APD array • Imaging system photon starved – Each detector must precisely time a weak optical pulse – Sub-ns timing, single photons Color-coded range image 31 Laser Radar Brassboard System (Gen I) Taken at noontime on a sunny day • 4 4 APD array • External rack-mounted timing circuits • Doubled Nd:YAG passively Q-switched microchip laser (produces 30 µJ, 250 ps pulses at = 532 nm) • Transmit/receive field of view scanned to generate 128 128 images 32 Conventional vs Ladar Image Conventional image 3D image 33 Foliage Penetration Experiment View from 100 m tower Laser radar on tower elevator Objects under trees 34 Foliage Penetration Imagery 35 Transition Edge Sensors (TESs) 36 Transition Edge Sensors (TES) • A TES is similar to a bolometer, in that photon energy is detected when it is absorbed in a material that changes resistance with temperature. • The difference is that a TES is held at a temperature just below the transition temperature at which the material becomes supconducting. • The effective change in resistance when photons are absorbed is very large (and easy to detect). • One of the disadvantages of using TES’s is that the transition temperature is usually very low, requiring exotic cooling techniques. 37 TES Schematic 38 Slide Title • xxxxxx 39 TES Wavelength Resolution 40 Slide Title 41 Prototype TES Device 42 Superconducting Tunneling Junctions (STJs) 43 Superconducting Tunneling Junctions (STJs) • An STJ uses the current response of a Josephson junction (aka STJ) when struck by a photon to detect light. • The junction is similar to semiconducting junction and is composed of superconductor-insulator-superconductor. • The gap energy is generally much less than for silicon, so optical photons induce charge gain that depends on photon energy. 44 TES vs. STJ 45 Superconducting Single Photon Detectors (SSPDs) 46 Slide Title 47 Slide Title 48 Slide Title 49 Slide Title 50 Slide Title 51 Slide Title • xxxxxx 52 Slide Title 53