Lubijana:

Our contribution possibilities · Transient current technique tests aiming for probing/mapping of electric field in the device (IR and red lasers used). We also have DAQ for reading out m.i.p. signals.

· Fast device simulation tools for calculating the response of the sensor

· Neutron irradiation facility

· Some limited assembly (new Delvotek bonder)

· Testing: a fast-gated camera (Stanford computer optics “4 Picos”, image intensifier GEM + CCD sensor)

In the application area we have worked on developing the “scannerless” LIDAR device in the framework of a military project. The main purpose was outdoor 2D and 3D imaging through diffusive obstacles such as fog or smoke. Apart from obvious military use one can envisage a wide range of lifesaving, rescue and security applications of such a device. The proposed devices would have superior properties in terms of speed and sensitivity for that kind of application to the existing ones.

Trieste:

Application: 3D imaging with APD We have experience with CMOS linear mode gain-modulated APDs for 3D imaging [1]. Based on this, we expect the proposed sensor can be really interesting. The following considerations apply to an approach based on indirect TOF with modulated light and gain-modulated APD, but also direct TOF is appealing, mainly for outdoor and automotive applications.

We need to target state-of-the-art characteristics:

• State of the Art 3D pixels are smaller than 10um. But small pixels have a problem: low sensitivity. 20 - 30um is a reasonable size, not so small but enough for a medium resolution (128 – 256). Very high resolution is not strictly necessary in many applications (industrial, object tracking, gesture recognition)

• High sensitivity (QE + Fill Factor) in the IR (850nm – 900nm). Almost all the 3D pixels demonstrated so far are surface devices (small QE in the IR) and monolithic (small FF).

• High demodulation contrast ( > 60%)

• High modulation frequency ( > 50 MHz)

• High dynamic range (readout electronics) – high SNR

• Ambient light immunity (readout electronics)

High sensitivity enables:

• High frame rate ( > 50fps). Low latency

• Reduced illumination power → portable applications. Most of the 3D camera power consumption comes from the illumination unit. High sensitivity is the key to obtain low-power overall system operation.

The proposed read-out sensor for timing is probably suited to direct TOF. But we could also investigate the gain modulated device at the level of single pixel with discrete electronics.

1) O. Shcherbakova, L. Pancheri G.-F. Dalla Betta, N. Massari, D. Stoppa, “3D Camera Based on Linear-Mode Gain-Modulated Avalanche Photodiodes”, to be presented at ISSCC 2013, paper 27.7.