Sigma-Delta Detector
In collaboration with the University of Rochester, the RIDL is developing very low noise CMOS imaging detectors for NASA space astrophysics and planetary missions. These devices promise sub-electron read noise in a direct-readout architecture that is resilient against the transient and long-term effects of radiation. The novel readout circuit uses a one-bit sigma-delta oversampling comparator design developed by Zeljko Ignjatovic and Mark Bocko (University of Rochester). The light-sensitive silicon wafer is being designed and fabricated by RIDL and the RIT Semiconductor & Microsystems Fabrication Laboratory. NASA/JPL will delta-dope the backside of the detector for enhanced ultraviolet sensitivity. The wafer and the readout will be bump bonded together to produce a hybrid detector with good sensitivity from the ultraviolet through near-optical infrared.
LIDAR Imaging Detector
In collaboration with MIT/Lincoln Laboratory, the RIDL is developing an imaging Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) detector for NASA planetary space misisons. The device will have a pixelated array of independent Geiger-mode Avalanche Photodiodes that can asynchronously measure laser light time of flight. The output will be three-dimensional images providing distance measurements for each pixel. The device will have a timing accuracy of ~100 picoseconds, thus enabling a ranging accuracy ~1 cm, or roughly two orders of magnitude better than existing LIDAR instruments.
Guide Detector Evaluation for the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST)
The RIDL is testing prototype optical guide detectors for LSST. We have developed a guider testbed that simulates the expected image motion that the LSST focal plane will experience. The testbed will be used to validate guide detector performance against LSST requirements.
A Zero Noise Detector for Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT)
The key objective of this project is to develop a new type of imaging detector that will enable the most sensitive possible observations with the world’s largest telescopes, i.e. the TMT. The detector will effectively quadruple the collecting power of the TMT, compared to detectors currently envisioned in TMT instrument studies, for the lowest light level observations. It would have fundamental importance in ground-based and space-based astrophysics, Earth and planetary remote sensing, exo-planet identification, consumer imaging applications, and homeland safety, among many others. Measurable outcomes include being able to see further back into the infancy of the Universe to taking a better picture (less grainy) of a smiling child blowing out the candles at her birthday party. The detector will be quantum-limited (zero read noise), be resilient against the harsh effects of radiation in space, consume low power, operate over an extremely high dynamic range, and be able to operate with exposure times over one million times faster than typical digital cameras. The RIDL is teaming with MIT/Lincoln Laboratory to leverage their Geiger-mode Avalanche Photodiode technology for developing the imaging detector. The project is funded through the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.