High-Sensitivity UV Solid-State Photon-Counting Devices and Arrays

In Phase II of this SBIR project, Magnolia Optical Technologies in collaboration with research partner Georgia Institute of Technology, propose to advance the development of AlGaN-based ultraviolet deep-UV (DUV) and far-UV (FUV) single-photon avalanche detectors (SPADs) using the well-developed Si photomultiplier (SiPM) concept and then, in future SBIR Phases, to commercialize practical devices. Our team has collaborated on the development of III-N avalanche photodiodes (APDs) in the past. Our overall innovation in this SBIR will be to ultimately create the III-N analog of the SiPM: a back-illuminated hybrid FUV SPAD-focal-plane array (FPA) device coupled to a Si CMOS read-out integrated circuit (ROIC). This Phase II funding will allow our teams to further develop unique concepts that will greatly improve the UV and FUV performance of critical sensor systems based on the III-N materials. We will demonstrate improved performance UV APDs operating in both photovoltaic and Geiger Mode. This work will create the next technology readiness level for “solar-blind” III-N SPADs and III-N photomultipliers (PMs) following the concepts employed in the successful commercial development of Si-based PMs operating in the longer-wavelength regions. We expect that the NASA programs Explorers, Discovery, Cosmic Origins, Physics of the Cosmos, Habitable World Observatory, Solar-Terrestrial Probes, Vision Missions, and Earth Science Decadal Survey missions will all benefit from our technology development. In addition, such III-N UV SPADs will have an impact in related research areas, and many applications outside the realms of basic research, e.g., defense systems, biological applications, and medical imaging. Any new development is thus likely to have an impact in a broad range of applications within NASA, and in other defense, scientific and commercial application spheres.

UV photon detectors are widely used by NASA missions, e.g., the ultraviolet spectrograph (UVS) on the Juno Mission, and in the future 2030 UVEX (UltraViolet EXplorer) Mission and many other future NASA missions. As noted in the JPS MDL webpage: “Solar system exploration missions and Earth observation have utilized the ultraviolet spectrum to answer questions about a variety of topics from the origin of Earth to the atmospheres of the other planets, moons, asteroids, and comets in the solar system. Nearly all the spacecraft sent to other planets and solar system objects have carried ultraviolet spectrometers on board with great success.”[1] We expect that the NASA programs Explorers, Habitable World Observatory Mission, Discovery, Cosmic Origins, Physics of the Cosmos, Solar-Terrestrial Probes, Vision Missions, and Earth Science Decadal Survey missions will all benefit from our enhanced UV sensor technology development. Any new development is thus likely to have an impact in a broad range of applications within NASA, and in other defense, scientific and commercial application spheres. [1] https://microdevices.jpl.nasa.gov/capabilities/imaging-spectroscopy/uv-spectroscopy/, accessed Feb. 21, 2024. In addition to impacting multiple high-profile NASA missions, such III-N UV SPADs will have an impact in related research areas, and many applications outside the realms of basic research, e.g., DoE neutrino detectors, -ray telescopes, as well as more applied applications in defense systems, biological applications, and medical imaging. In many commercial applications, III-NPMs can be developed to replace SiPMs, where the direct, wider bandgap of the III-N alloy system should in principle reduce the dark current by orders of magnitude but material quality improvements in our commercialization stages will lead to low DCR suitable for product insertions. Specifically in positron emission tomography (PET) scanners currently SiPMs’ has low responsivity at the primary gamma wavelength, thus requiring expensive scintillation crystal and photodetector assemblies to interface with SiPM for detection of gamma radiation. With our III-NPM substitution, new X-ray scintillators like Lanthanum Bromide [LaBr3] can be an even better fit to III-N absorption spectrum. Our III-NPM SPAD devices will further enable other critical applications in aerospace and defense sector like missile plume detection (for jet flame, missile flare, engine monitoring), corona discharge, non-line-of-sight communications, imaging for defect-free manufacturing, variety of environmental monitoring such as ozone/pollutant monitoring and measurement of UV signatures applications. III-NPM detectors enable measurement and management of UV radiation levels that becomes increasingly crucial due to rising environmental concerns. These sensors are instrumental in tracking ozone layer depletion, monitoring UV radiation levels for public safety, and supporting climate research initiatives.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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