Dynamic Bias APD Receiver Array

The program has two trusts: (1) Using dynamic biasing to address arbitrary pulse trains, such as would be present in LIDAR and other forms of EO/IR imaging and periodic pulse trains, such as in telecommunications; and (2) Developing an APD the meets program requirements such as a cutoff wavelength >1.6 m, low dark current, low excess noise and a >200 K operating temperature. In the proposed approach the readout integrated circuit (ROIC) applies a dynamic bias to the APD which reduces excess noise generation. We expect to meet all solicitation requirements, including demonstrating a linear APD FPA with single photon sensitivity. In Phase I we will perform extensive modeling, will develop a preliminary design of the ROIC, and will fabricate and test an APD. By the end of Phase II, we will have a working FPA with dynamic biasing that we will evaluate with diverse pulse trains.