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Novel Photon-Counting Detectors for Free-Space CommunicationWe present performance data for novel photon counting detectors for free space optical communication. NASA GSFC is testing the performance of three novel photon counting detectors 1) a 2x8 mercury cadmium telluride avalanche array made by DRS Inc. 2) a commercial 2880 silicon avalanche photodiode array and 3) a prototype resonant cavity silicon avalanche photodiode array. We will present and compare dark count, photon detection efficiency, wavelength response and communication performance data for these detectors. We discuss system wavelength trades and architectures for optimizing overall communication link sensitivity, data rate and cost performance. The HgCdTe APD array has photon detection efficiencies of greater than 50 were routinely demonstrated across 5 arrays, with one array reaching a maximum PDE of 70. High resolution pixel-surface spot scans were performed and the junction diameters of the diodes were measured. The junction diameter was decreased from 31 m to 25 m resulting in a 2x increase in e-APD gain from 470 on the 2010 array to 1100 on the array delivered to NASA GSFC. Mean single photon SNRs of over 12 were demonstrated at excess noise factors of 1.2-1.3.The commercial silicon APD array has a fast output with rise times of 300ps and pulse widths of 600ps. Received and filtered signals from the entire array are multiplexed onto this single fast output. The prototype resonant cavity silicon APD array is being developed for use at 1 micron wavelength.
Document ID
20160001936
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Presentation
Authors
Krainak, Michael A.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Yang, Guan
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Sun, Xiaoli
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Lu, Wei
(ASRC Federal Space and Defense Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Merritt, Scott
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Beck, Jeff
(DRS Technologies, Inc. Dallas, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
February 18, 2016
Publication Date
February 16, 2016
Subject Category
Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command And Tracking
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN29655
Meeting Information
Meeting: Free-Space Laser Communication and Atmospheric Propagation
Location: San Francisco, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: February 15, 2016
End Date: February 16, 2016
Sponsors: International Society for Optical Engineering
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNG13CR48C
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
Photons
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