High-speed Photon-Number-Resolution Quanta Imaging Sensor Array

This Department of the Navy SBIR/STTR solicitation (Topic OSW26BZ04-DV005) seeks proposals to develop a room-temperature, High-speed Photon-Number-Resolution (PNR) Quanta Imaging Sensor Array. The technology is restricted under ITAR/EAR export controls and requires a Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 1. The objective is to demonstrate a scalable, megapixel-class PNR pixel array that operates at room temperature (eliminating cryogenic requirements) and overcomes high-rate photon "pileup" data loss. Target specifications include a pixel-level photon counting rate of ≥120 MHz, PNR of ≥16, and an external quantum efficiency of ≥60% between 450–550 nm. The sensor architecture must support burst-frame rates of ≥120 MHz with hardware-level, on-chip accumulation compression, while operating between -40 °C and +45 °C. Phase I will focus on feasibility, simulation of pixel performance, and designing the 3D burst-frame storage and readout integrated circuit (ROIC) architecture. The topic accepts both Phase I and Direct to Phase II (DP2) proposals. Phase II requires fabricating a prototype array using a commercial foundry and demonstrating a scaling roadmap. Phase III aims to scale production to megapixel arrays for dual-use applications, including laser communications, quantum key distribution, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), and LiDAR. Technical Points of Contact are Stephen Potashnik and Brandon Cochenour.