High speed quantum well detectors for long baseline imaging

Multi-aperture techniques common for radio frequency (RF) observations such as direct-detection (homodyne) interferometry or Very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI) have seen limited use in the optical domain due to several technological hurdles: optical path control, phase reference stability, and detector bandwidths. Recent advances in time transfer standards and optical frequency comb physics have opened the door to measurement and control of the electromagnetic field at optical frequencies with such precision that techniques developed for the radio domain can be applied to the optical. Leveraging these techniques to create an optical very long baseline interferometer offers a viable path toward ultra-high-resolution images of distant astronomical targets. Here, we propose to address the limited photodetectors' response bandwidth by developing fast heterodyne mixers based on Quantum-Well Infrared Photodetectors (QWIPs) embedded in GaAs photonic waveguide. The development allows for detection of long-wavelength light around 10 µm with close to unity quantum efficiencies and quantum limited noise at unprecedented electrical bandwidths exceeding 30 GHz. Such detectors will be a game changing technology enabling long baseline heterodyne imaging of astrophysical targets. Furthermore, the scalability of III/V material system and their mature fabrication used for developing QWIP technology provide a suitable platform for future detector arrays required for such applications with over 1 THz of measurement optical bandwidth. Our effort, will overcome the current optical bandwidth limitation. This technology will streamline insertion of large bandwidth heterodyne receivers for future flight missions consisting of constellation of spacecrafts at low size, weight and power (SWaP).

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