3D digital Silicon Photomultiplier (3DdSiPM)

3DdSiPM is a Sherbrooke driven technology of single photon digital counting devices with high timing resolution. This technology proves relevant for astroparticle physics experiments and quantum information. The high timing resolution and the in-situ signal processing will allow for increased sensitivity in dark matter experiments like DarkSide1. The large size of these experiments gives a strong push towards power reduction of the 3DdSiPM. Our detectors are also perfectly suitable for quantum key distribution2 algorithms because they have single photon sensitivity and a very high timing resolution. The development of integrated photodetector systems in a single chip should allow an important reduction of mass and power, both critical for satellite applications.

The objectives of the project are:

1. A)  The continued development of the high-resolution time-to-digital converter and the reduction of power consumption of the 3DdSiPM;
2. B)  The analysis and design of a new chip optimized for quantum key distribution(QKD).