Characterizing Single-photon Sensing CMOS Image Sensors for NASA Missions

We propose to advance the technology readiness level (TRL) of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) large-format single-photon sensing and photon-number resolving CMOS (SPSCMOS) optical image sensors for use in future NASA missions. In particular, they would be excellent for the optical focal planes of the IR/O/UV Great Observatory recommended by the Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s (The Decadal Survey). In addition to having low read noise, SPSCMOS devices are resilient against radiation, consume low power, and operate as a digital focal plane, relieving many requirements for post-detector electronics. In the past six years, researchers developed CMOS image sensors that have read noise low enough that they can count individual photons. In only the past two years, three vendors, Gigajot Technology Inc., Hamamatsu Photonics, and BAE Systems, matured SPSCMOS technology into COTS products. The performance of these detectors is well-suited to the requirements of instruments for general astrophysics, particularly in applications that require very low read noise, low dark current, and large focal planes. They are currently at TRL 4, however, manufacturers have no market pressure to perform tests in a relevant space environment that would advance them to TRL 5. We propose a program to advance the technology to TRL 5. The program includes detector characterization in the laboratory, at a telescope, and after high-energy particle irradiation. The characterizations include read noise, dark current, quantum efficiency, persistence, and linearity. We will validate the technology at a telescope, such as the California Institute of Technology Hale telescope, or the University of Rochester C.E.K. Mees Observatory 24-inch telescope. The proposed project uses the results and experience of a current NASA funded project funded by the Strategic Astrophysics Technology program where the team advanced Mpixel SPSCMOS devices with 1.1 um pixels of one manufacturer from TRL 3 to 5. We found that the device performance matches most, and in some regards, exceeds the performance level of existing state of the art detectors in metrics that are required by the signature science cases studied for LUVIOR, specifically, performance metrics such as dark current, read noise, and charge rate capacity.

The Strategic Astrophysics Technology program (SAT) supports focused development efforts for key technologies to the point at which they are ready to feed into major missions in the three science themes of the Astrophysics Division: Exoplanet Exploration, Cosmic Origins, and the Physics of the Cosmos. This program is specifically designed to address middle technology readiness level (TRL) "gaps" between levels 3 and 6: the maturation of technologies that have been established as feasible, but which are not yet sufficiently mature to incorporate into flight missions without introducing an unacceptable level of risk.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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