Single-photon-sensitive EBCCD with additional multiplication

M. Suyama; T. Sato; S. Ema; T. Ohba; K. Inoue; K. Ito; T. Ihara; I. Mizuno; T. Maruno; H. Suzuki; M. Muramatsu

doi:10.1117/12.680381

7 September 2006 Single-photon-sensitive EBCCD with additional multiplication

M. Suyama, T. Sato, S. Ema, T. Ohba, K. Inoue, K. Ito, T. Ihara, I. Mizuno, T. Maruno, H. Suzuki, M. Muramatsu

Proceedings Volume 6294, Infrared and Photoelectronic Imagers and Detector Devices II; 629407 (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.680381
Event: SPIE Optics + Photonics, 2006, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

A highly sensitive image sensor for single photon imaging has been developed. The sensor (referred as an intensified EBCCD here) contains a photocathode, a microchannel plate (MCP) and an electron-sensitive CCD in a vacuum tube. In response to incident photons, electrons emitted from the photocathode are multiplied once by the MCP, further by the CCD and read out. Either an image intensifier containing MCPs or an EBCCD containing an electron-sensitive CCD has sensitivity for single photon by itself, however, many intense white spot-noise appear on output image and degrade the image quality seriously at such high-gain operation. In the case of intensified EBCCD reported here, since both the MCP and the electron-sensitive CCD are used for electron multiplication, high gain for single photon detection is available in total at low gains of both devices. This operation reduces the noise drastically, and improves the image quality. We have developed the intensified EBCCD with a GaAsP photocathode for high quantum efficiency, and evaluated the performance. Comparing with conventional cameras, such as an EM-CCD and an image intensifier, the intensified EBCCD shows superior detection capability at especially low-light level, that is single photon imaging.

Citation Download Citation

M. Suyama, T. Sato, S. Ema, T. Ohba, K. Inoue, K. Ito, T. Ihara, I. Mizuno, T. Maruno, H. Suzuki, and M. Muramatsu "Single-photon-sensitive EBCCD with additional multiplication", Proc. SPIE 6294, Infrared and Photoelectronic Imagers and Detector Devices II, 629407 (7 September 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.680381

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available