SBIR / STTR #12793

R&D Solicitation for High-Speed Photon-Number-Resolving Sensor Array

The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), under the Department of Defense, is seeking advanced research and development proposals for a high-speed photon-number-resolving (PNR) quanta imaging sensor array. - Government Buyer: - Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), Department of Defense - OEMs and Vendors: - No specific OEMs or vendors are named in the solicitation - Products/Services Requested: - Research and development of a high-speed PNR sensor array - Key technical requirements: - Photon counting rates of at least 120 MHz per pixel - Photon number resolution of at least 16 - External quantum efficiency of at least 60% in the 450–550 nm wavelength range - Scalable to megapixel arrays - Monochromatic operation - High frame rates (≥120 MHz in 10 µs bursts at up to 16 kHz) - On-chip data compression for at least 500 burst sequences - Operating temperature range: -40°C to +45°C - Compatibility with quantum imaging and environmental sensing applications - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Proposals must address current state-of-the-art performance, physical limitations, new detection mechanisms or circuit architectures, and scalability challenges - Focus is on innovative R&D, not procurement of commercial off-the-shelf products - No specific part numbers or quantities are provided

Description

This solicitation seeks innovative sensor technologies capable of high-speed photon counting and timing at the quantum limit, suitable for applications in quantum imaging and environmental sensing. The project aims to develop an ultimate photon-number-resolving sensor with key performance parameters including a photon counting rate of at least 120 MHz per pixel, photon number resolution of at least 16, and external quantum efficiency of at least 60% between 450 – 550 nm. The sensor should be scalable up to megapixels, operate monochromatically, and support high frame rates and on-chip data compression. Proposals should address current state-of-the-art performance, physical limitations, new detection mechanisms or circuit architectures, and scalability challenges.

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