UV/Visible Photon Counting and Imaging Silicon Detectors for Planetary Science Instruments

We propose to develop photon-counting detectors--including detectors for the ultraviolet spectral range. Planetary science instruments being developed for upcoming New Frontiers, Discovery, SIMPLEx, and flagship missions require photon counting detectors for studying the atmosphere and surface of planetary bodies. Recent silicon-based photon counting detectors have the potential to enable more compact, higher capability instruments. Quanta Image Sensors (QIS), recently invented at Dartmouth college and currently under development through NASA-SBIR Phase II and other sources by Gigajot offers a new category of solid-state detectors capable of room temperature photon counting. Unlike other solid-state photon counting detectors such as avalanche photodiode arrays (APDs), single photon avalanche photodiode (SPAD) array, and electron multiplying charge coupled devices (EMCCDs) that rely on impact-ionization (avalanche) gain to produce high signal to noise ratio, QIS achieves photon counting at room temperature by having an ultralow noise readout. This structure achieves photon counting with less than five volts. QIS has zero dead time, low dark count, low power, low operating voltage. Because it is fabricated in the latest 3D CMOS image sensor processing, it is easily extendable to various formats and image processing capabilities for planetary cameras, subsystems, and instruments. We will procure QIS wafers and process ultraviolet photon counting silicon detectors and fully characterize them for photon counting, quantum efficiency, dark current, operating temperature, time-resolved measurements, and read noise. We will evaluate their performance in a side by side comparison with other photon counting ultraviolet detectors such as microchannel plates (MCPs) and EMCCDs in our existing testbeds at JPL and University of Arizona. We will evaluate the radiation tolerance of the QIS architecture by testing them before and after exposure to protons, electrons and gamma rays for total ionization dose and displacement damage. We will rank QIS performance and radiation tolerance and will recommend their further development roadmap and potential use for various environment and applications accordingly. This technology development will be enabling for planetary instruments by replacing lower QE, high voltage image tube-based detectors and will allow planetary instrument designers, including the proposing team, to select the most suitable detectors from a cadre of high-performance arrays for the space environment and science requirements. More »