Total ionization dose radiation tests results of the epoch timing system with sub-picosecond resolution and stability for its applications in space missions.

We report on the concept, design, and tests of a New Picosecond Event Timer (NPET) device and its response to the total ionizing dose. These radiation tests aimed to verify that the existing version of the NPET device may be used in space missions. The device was subjected to radiation of a total dose of 74 Gy provided by a 60Co source. The epoch timing part of the device was not detectably affected by the radiation dose. After the radiation dose, the epoch timing of single measurement resolution is better than 0.9 ps with the overall timing stability characterized by Time Deviation being better than 5 fs for averaging times of 100 s. The completed device tests and results indicate the possibility of using the existing version of the New Pico Event Timing device electronics for a space mission in which the total radiation dose will not exceed 74 Gy value.

Photon counting detector package based on InGaAs/InP avalanche structure for laser ranging applications.

Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) is a well established space geodetic technique measuring the satellite distance, which implements time of flight. Up to now, second harmonic Nd:YAG laser pulses have been frequently used for range measurement, since the silicon detector technology allows us to detect single photon echoes reflected from satellites with required high detection probability, millimeter precision, and an acceptable dark count rate. On the other hand, the fundamental wavelength (1064 nm) provides a significantly better overall energy budget, but there were no suitable detectors available. More recently, the use of InGaAs/InP became feasible for developing single photon avalanche diodes, which exhibit high photon detection probability and acceptable timing resolution. Both these properties are important and allow the SLR measurement at the fundamental wavelength. In this Note, we report on construction and testing of a single photon detector package based on the InGaAs/InP diode optimized for the SLR measurement.

Note: Space qualified solid state photon counting detector with reduced detection delay temperature drift.

The solid state photon counting detector is one of the key components of a measurement chain for laser time transfer ground to space. The photon counting approach significantly reduces systematic errors of the time transfer. The requirements put on the detection precision and the stability of laser time transfer are increasing and reaching sub-picosecond levels now. The temperature variations in the space environment limit the long term detection delay stability of detectors. Therefore, we have modified the existing space qualified solid state photon counter control circuit which compensates to a high degree the temperature variations of detection delay. We have optimized the detection delay change with operating temperature and reached the lowest temperature coefficient as low as 20 fs/K in a temperature range of +22 to +46 °C. The timing resolution and photon detection probability remained unchanged at the values of 40 ps FWHM and 30%, respectively. Thanks to the low temperature drift of the detector, the limiting precision of the laser time transfer chain characterized by time deviation is lower than 40 fs for 2000 s averaging time. These detection delay stability parameters are, to our knowledge, the best ever reported for any photon counting detector. This modification of the detector control circuit did not affect the space qualification of the device, which is expected to be used in future laser time transfer space missions.

Note: Large active area solid state photon counter with 20 ps timing resolution and 60 fs detection delay stability.

We are reporting on the design, construction, and performance of a photon counting detector system, which is based on single photon avalanche diode detector technology. This photon counting device has been optimized for very high timing resolution and stability of its detection delay. The foreseen application of this detector is laser ranging of space objects, laser time transfer ground to space and fundamental metrology. The single photon avalanche diode structure, manufactured on silicon using K14 technology, is used as a sensor. The active area of the sensor is circular with 200 µm diameter. Its photon detection probability exceeds 40% in the wavelength range spanning from 500 to 800 nm. The sensor is operated in active quenching and gating mode. A new control circuit was optimized to maintain high timing resolution and detection delay stability. In connection to this circuit, timing resolution of the detector is reaching 20 ps FWHM. In addition, the temperature change of the detection delay is as low as 70 fs/K. As a result, the detection delay stability of the device is exceptional: expressed in the form of time deviation, detection delay stability of better than 60 fs has been achieved. Considering the large active area aperture of the detector, this is, to our knowledge, the best timing performance reported for a solid state photon counting detector so far.

Note: Space qualified photon counting detector for laser time transfer with picosecond precision and stability.

The laser time transfer link is under construction for the European Space Agency in the frame of Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space. We have developed and tested the flying unit of the photon counting detector optimized for this space mission. The results are summarized in this Note. An extreme challenge was to build a detector package, which is rugged, small and which provides long term detection delay stability on picosecond level. The device passed successfully all the tests required for space missions on the low Earth orbits. The detector is extremely rugged and compact. Its long term detection delay stability is excellent, it is better than ±1 ps/day, in a sense of time deviation it is better than 0.5 ps for averaging times of 2000 s to several hours. The device is capable to operate in a temperature range of -55 °C up to +60 °C, the change of the detection delay with temperature is +0.5 ps/K. The device is ready for integration into the space structure now.

Twenty Years of Rad-Hard K14 SPAD in Space Projects.

During last two decades, several photon counting detectors have been developed in our laboratory. One of the most promising detector coming from our group silicon K14 Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) is presented with its valuable features and space applications. Based on the control electronics, it can be operated in both gated and non-gated mode. Although it was designed for photon counting detection, it can be employed for multiphoton detection as well. With respect to control electronics employed, the timing jitter can be as low as 20 ps RMS. Detection efficiency is about 40%in range of 500 nm to 800 nm. The detector including gating and quenching circuitry has outstanding timing stability. Due to its radiation resistivity, the diode withstands 100 krad gamma ray dose without parameters degradation. Single photon detectors based on K14 SPAD were used for planetary altimeter and atmospheric lidar in MARS92/96 and Mars Surveyor '98 space projects, respectively. Recent space applications of K14 SPAD comprises LIDAR and mainly time transfer between ground stations and artificial satellites. These include Laser Time Transfer, Time Transfer by Laser Link, and European Laser Timing projects.

Note: Solid state photon counters with sub-picosecond timing stability.

We are reporting on a design, construction, and performance of photon counting detector packages based on solid state sensors. These photon counting devices have been optimized for extremely high stability of their detection delay. The detectors have been designed for applications in fundamental metrology and optical time transfer. The single photon avalanche diode structure manufactured on silicon using the K14 technology is used as a sensor. The active area of the sensor is circular with a diameter of 100 or 200 µm. The sensor is operated in an active quenching and gating mode. The photon detection efficiency exceeds 40% in a wavelength range spanning from 500 to 800 nm. The timing resolution is better than 20 ps rms. Its detection delay is stable within ±600 fs over several days of operation, in a sense of time deviation the detection delay stability of 150 fs has been achieved. The temperature change of the detection delay is as low as 280 fs∕K. This timing performance is preserved even under extremely high background photon fluxes exceeding 100 Mc/s. The detectors have been qualified for operation in space missions.