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

This Department of the Navy SBIR/STTR solicitation (Topic OSW26TZ04-DV002) seeks proposals to develop and demonstrate a high-speed, room-temperature Photon-Number-Resolution (PNR) quanta imaging sensor array. The technology must achieve high counting rates while remaining scalable to megapixel sizes. Positioned under Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 1, this ITAR-restricted topic aims to bypass the cryogenic cooling requirements of superconducting nanowires by utilizing CMOS-compatible Quanta Imaging Sensors (QIS) or novel readout architectures. Key performance requirements for the proposed monochromatic sensor include a pixel-level photon counting rate of at least 120 MHz, a PNR of 16 or greater, and an external quantum efficiency of at least 60% between 450 and 550 nm. Architecturally, the sensor must support frame rates of 120 MHz or greater in 10-microsecond bursts, incorporate on-chip hardware-level compression for up to 500 burst sequences, and operate between -40 °C and +45 °C. Phase I will focus on feasibility, pixel-level simulations, and designing the 3D burst-frame storage logic and readout integrated circuit (ROIC) architecture. Direct-to-Phase II proposals are accepted. Phase II requires fabricating a small prototype array via a Multi-Project Wafer run and creating a megapixel scalability roadmap. Phase III aims for commercial foundry production to support dual-use applications like laser communications, quantum key distribution, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, and LiDAR. Technical Points of Contact are Stephen Potashnik and Brandon Cochenour.