Performance of a 3 mm×3 mm silicon photomultiplier for use on the X-ray calibration system of the SVOM gamma ray monitor

The calibration detector of a gamma ray monitor (GRM) is designed to detect alpha particles from ²⁴¹Am and to send out the coincidence signal to the GRM X-ray detector. The silicon photomultiplier (SiPM), as a novel photon device, is a good candidate to convert alpha-exciting fluorescent photons into electric signals. Three types of SiPMs from SSPM and MPPC, each having an active area of 3 mm×3 mm, were compared in the matter of the spectra from low-intensity light, dark count, crosstalk probability and I-V curve. The temperature coe cient of SSPM-0710G9MM was also characterized. The application of a SiPM on the GRM has been proved to be feasible.     

单光子探测技术

近年来,以量子密钥分配为代表的各种量子信息技术应用获得了飞速发展,这些应用对单光子探测器的性能提出了非常苛刻的要求,以光电倍增管和雪崩光电二极管为代表的传统单光子探测器件已经无法满足需求。在此背景下,出现了以超导单光子探测器为代表的新型低温单光子探测器件,其性能比现有商用单光子探测器有了本质性的提升。本文综述了迄今为止各种类型的单光子探测器,并指出各自在量子信息技术应用中的优势和不足之处以及发展方向。     

利用多像素光子计数器的光学串话效应提高光子探测效率

通过分析多像素光子计数器(MPPC)的工作原理和其光学串话(OC)效应的特点,提出在使用MPPC输出雪崩信号的幅度或电荷量作为光子计数的参量时,利用MPPC的OC效应能提高MPPC的光子探测效率的观点,并从理论上分析了OC效应对光子探测效率的影响。理论分析结果显示,在这两种光子计数模式下,利用OC效应能明显提高MPPC的光子探测效率。利用本文模型计算得出当MPPC的雪崩单元数M为1 600个,忽略OC效应时的光子探测效率等于30%,光学串话概率等于50%,以及单脉冲入射光子数均值为10时,包含OC效应影响的等效光子探测效率可提高50%,达45%左右。该结果对MPPC在天体物理、粒子物理、荧光光谱探测等弱光探测场合的应用有一定指导意义。     

Performance of a 3 mm×3 mm silicon photomultiplier for use on the X-ray calibration system of the SVOM gamma ray monitor

The calibration detector of a gamma ray monitor (GRM) is designed to detect alpha particles from ²⁴¹Am and to send out the coincidence signal to the GRM X-ray detector. The silicon photomultiplier (SiPM), as a novel photon device, is a good candidate to convert alpha-exciting fluorescent photons into electric signals. Three types of SiPMs from SSPM and MPPC, each having an active area of 3 mm×3 mm, were compared in the matter of the spectra from low-intensity light, dark count, crosstalk probability and I-V curve. The temperature coe cient of SSPM-0710G9MM was also characterized. The application of a SiPM on the GRM has been proved to be feasible.     

基于SiPM和TCMPC的时间分辨拉曼散射测量技术研究

报道了一种基于硅光电信增管(SiPM)的时间相关多光子计数(TCMPC)技术并将其应用于时间分辨拉曼散射测量。相比于常规基于光电倍增管(PMT)或单光子雪崩二极管(SPAD)的时间相关单光子(TCSPC)技术,由于SiPM可以分辨信号脉冲的具体光子数,基于SiPM的TCMPC技术消除了信号脉冲包含的光子数必须小于等于1的限制,光子计数效率提高了10倍以上,大大节省了测量时间。此外,多光子测量比单光子测量能够得到更好的时间分辨率,时间分辨拉曼散射系统的仪器响应函数(IRF)从单光子81.4 ps缩短至双光子59.7 ps,因而可以用更窄的时间门限抑制荧光本底等噪声对拉曼散射测量的影响。使用TCMPC技术测量CCl₄在0.5和1.5 p.e.两个不同光子数阈值的拉曼峰的峰本比,后者较高的光子数阈值能进一步降低SiPM暗计数噪声的影响,增加了拉曼信号测量的信噪比,测量得到的CCl₄ 459 cm-1拉曼峰的峰本比是前者的6.4倍。将所述新的拉曼散射测量技术与基于PMT和锁相放大器(LIA)的传统拉曼散射测量技术进行了比较研究,前者由于可以使用仅有数十皮秒的测量门限,可以有效抑制荧光、环境杂散光和SiPM暗计数等噪声的影响,所得光谱具有更好的峰本比,测得CCl₄的459 cm-1拉曼峰和Si的一阶拉曼峰的峰本比分别是后者的3.9倍和5.5倍。     

超导单光子探测技术

单光子探测是弱光测量技术的核心,在量子信息、物理、生物、化学和天文学领域具有关键性的作用。传统以光电倍增管或雪崩二极管为基础的单光子探测器的低灵敏度和高暗计数限制了信噪比的提高,低计数率限制了测量速度和动态范围。本文综述了以超导材料作为光敏感器件的单光子探测技术,其量子效率、暗计数率和计数率远高于传统的单光子探测器,它们的出现势必给单光子测量相关学科带来巨大影响。     

超导转变边沿单光子探测器原理与研究进展

量子信息技术近十多年来的快速发展对单光子探测器的性能提出了更高的要求,高性能单光子探测器也因此受到了更多的关注.与传统的单光子探测器相比,超导转变边沿(TES)单光子探测器在探测效率、能量分辨、光子数分辨和暗计数等方面具有突出优势.目前,超导TES单光子探测器已经被成功地应用在量子光学实验和量子密钥分配系统中,未来在量子信息技术等研究领域具有更广泛的应用.本文从超导TES单光子探测器的工作原理、制备流程、测试系统、主要性能指标以及研究现状和进展等方面对该探测器技术进行简要综述.     

Comparative studies of silicon photomultipliers and traditional vacuum photomultiplier tubes

Silicon photomultipliers(SiPMs)are a new generation of semiconductor-based photon counting devices with the merits of low weight,low power consumption and low voltage operation,promising to meet the needs of space particle physics experiments.In this paper,comparative studies of SiPMs and traditional vacuum photomultiplier tubes(PMTs)have been performed regarding the basic properties of dark currents,dark counts and excess noise factors.The intrinsic optical crosstalk effect of SiPMs was evaluated.     

Comparative studies of silicon photomultipliers and traditional vacuum photomultiplier tubes

Silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) are a new generation of semiconductor-based photon counting devices with the merits of low weight, low power consumption and low voltage operation, promising to meet the needs of space particle physics experiments. In this paper, comparative studies of SiPMs and traditional vacuum photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) have been performed regarding the basic properties of dark currents, dark counts and excess noise factors. The intrinsic optical crosstalk effect of SiPMs was evaluated.     

DANSS Neutrino Spectrometer: Detector Calibration,Response Stability,and Light Yield

Apart from monitoring nuclear reactor parameters, the DANSS neutrino experiment is aimed at searching for sterile neutrinos through a detailed analysis of the ratio of reactor antineutrino spectra measured at different distances from the reactor core. The light collection system of the detector is dual, comprising both the vacuum photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) and silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs). In this paper, the techniques developed to calibrate the responses of these photodetectors are discussed in detail. The long-term stability of the key parameters of the detector and their dependences on the ambient temperature are investigated. The results of detector light yield measurements, performed independently with PMTs and SiPMs are reported.     

The analysis of the integral gated mode single photon detector

This paper critically analyses and simulates the circuit configuration of the integral gated mode single photon detector which is proposed for eliminating the transient spikes problem of conventional gated mode single photon detector. The relationship between the values of the circuit elements and the effect of transient spikes cancellation has been obtained. With particular emphasis, the bias voltage of the avalanche photodiode and the output signal voltage of the integrator have been calculated. The obtained analysis results indicate that the output signal voltage of the integrator only relates to the total quantity of electricity of the avalanche charges by choosing the correct values of the circuit elements and integral time interval. These results can be used to optimize the performance of single photon detectors and provide guides for the design of single photon detectors.     

Silicon photomultiplier detector for atmospheric lidar applications

The viability and performance of using a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) in atmospheric lidar applications is experimentally compared against the well-established use of photomultiplier tubes. By using a modified lidar setup for simultaneous data acquisition of both types of sensors, we demonstrate that a SiPM can offer appropriate qualities for this specific application where the detection of fast, extremely low light pulses and large dynamic range signals are essential capabilities. The experimental results show that the SiPM has an appropriate behaviour offering suitable capabilities for elastic, backscatter aerosol lidars. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study showing SiPM for atmospheric lidar applications.     

一维游标位敏阳极光子计数探测器

报道了一维游标位敏阳极光子计数探测器,详细介绍了一维游标位敏阳极的解码原理和设计结果.搭建了基于一维游标位敏阳极探测器的紫外光子计数探测系统.该系统工作于光子计数模式,可同时测量单光子事件的一维坐标.获得了对应入射光空间强度一维分布的脉冲计数分布图.通过测试,系统的分辨率优于100μm.该探测器可以实现极微弱的高能光子、电子和离子等粒子流强度分布的一维探测,因此可以用于深空探测、光谱测量、高能物理以及生物发光探测.     

通讯波段单光子探测器的研制

将InGaAs/InP雪崩光电二极管应用于盖革模式下,采用门脉冲模式淬灭雪崩,并使用魔T混合网络抑制尖峰噪声,实现了通信波段1550 nm的单光子探测.在APD工作温度为223 K时,测得暗计数率与探测效率的比值为0.035.     

基于波移光纤及硅光电倍增管的钚气溶胶测量系统北大核心CSCD

钚气溶胶测量是进行钚材料相关实验研究的基础。为了确保辐射安全,常需将钚材料密封于密闭容器内以实现对钚气溶胶的包容,商用钚气溶胶监测设备由于难以放入含钚密闭容器而不适用于该应用场景下钚气溶胶浓度的监测。使用ZnS(Ag)闪烁体作为辐射灵敏材料放置于含钚密闭容器内,通过波移光纤将闪烁体信号引出密闭容器,并通过硅光电倍增管实现对闪烁体信号的采集,使用该技术路线建立的钚气溶胶测量系统能够用于密闭容器内钚气溶胶的测量。该测量系统可根据具体需求实现对探测器尺寸、形状的定制,具有功耗低,结构相对简单等优点,实现了密闭容器内钚气溶胶的远程就地测量,具备n/γ混合辐射场下α粒子甄别测量能力。     

Pile-up correction in characterizing single-photon avalanche diodes of high dark count rate

Although as a single-photon detector, the single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) may be applied to multi-photon conditions. At a minimum, SPADs with a high dark count rate (DCR) demand a higher value of photon number per pulse to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. In this case, and without correction, severe pile-up distortion may induce a system error in the measurement of photon detection efficiency (PDE) and timing jitter. In this paper, we study the pile-up distortion in SPAD characterization by numerical simulation and experimentation, and introduce a pile-up correction method for the precise characterization of PDE and timing jitter in immature SPADs with an unintentionally high DCR. The results of this study are useful in the development of future SPADs.     

高密度外延电阻淬灭硅光电倍增器研究

针对表面淬灭电阻技术引起死区面积较大,以及高光子探测效率与大动态范围不能同时满足的矛盾,应用外延电阻淬灭技术,采用与雪崩光电二极管微单元相连的衬底外延层硅材料制作了淬灭电阻.研制成功的外延电阻淬灭硅光电倍增器的有源区面积为1×1mm~2,微单元尺寸为7μm,微单元密度高达21 488个/mm~2,测试结果表明:漏电流为10量级,反向击穿电压为24.5V,过偏压为2.5V时,增益达1.4×10~5,室温下暗计数率约为600kHz/mm~2,串话率低于10%,说明该器件具有良好的光子计数特性.该高密度硅光电倍增器测量的动态范围是1.8×10~4个/mm,光子探测效率为16%(@λ_(peak)=480nm),恢复时间为8.5ns,单光子分辨能力较高,并且在液氮温度环境能够探测光子,这对于拓展硅光电倍增器在极低温度条件下的应用,比如暗物质测量实验方面具有潜力.     

光子计数模式下的目标探测与成像

 当光微弱到以单个光子发射时,成像系统只有利用光子计数模式才能探测到单光子信息。采用基于碰撞电离效应的全固态雪崩光电二极管作为探测元件,构成微光环境下的光子计数成像实验系统。该系统的硬件主要由雪崩光电二极管构成的单光子计数器、计算机、微光照度计、2维电控导轨、控制器、暗箱等组成。控制器的软件在Altera公司Quartus环境下设计,主要完成导轨运动的控制;上位机软件采用VC++编程实现系统的数据采集处理、系统功能控制和光子计数图像显示等。该系统为全固态结构,工作电压小于35 V,暗计数率小于4 Hz。所建光子计数成像系统在10－5 lx微光环境下实现了目标的探测成像。     

向长波方向发展的光子数分辨探测技术

研究了光子数分辨探测器技术发展的物理基础，技术现状和发展趋势．重点分析了目前能达到单光子分辨的发展中的三种探测技术：越界超导传感技术（superconducting transition-edge sensor），电荷积分单光子探测技术（charge integration photon detection）和雪崩光电二极管单光子分布探测技术（delayed single photon probability mapping based on avalanche photodiode），讨论了探测器的光子数分辨能力及其噪音来源．     

基于单光子探测及脉冲位置调制的激光通信关键技术研究

为了实现高灵敏度的空间激光通信,并提高传输信道的抗干扰能力,将单光子探测技术和脉冲位置调制技术相结合,采用门控电路与反馈淬灭电路相结合的方式淬灭单光子探测器雪崩,设计了插入帧头法用于脉冲位置调制解调。用现场可编程门阵列进行了脉冲位置调制解调过程的仿真,验证了插入帧头法的有效性与可行性。在此基础上搭建了1 550 nm的脉冲位置调制激光通信实验,同时测试了单光子探测器在不同参数下的性能。结果表明,当探测效率为25%,触发延时为8.00 ns,门宽为5.0 ns,死时间为0.1μs时,单光子探测器性能最佳。最后测试了不同调制速率下单光子探测器的探测灵敏度,结果表明,当通信码速率为1 Mbps时,通信灵敏度为-51.8 dBm;当通信码速率为4 Mbps时,通信灵敏度为-41.0 dBm,实现了高灵敏度的空间激光通信。