8-Channel acquisition system for Time-Correlated Single-Photon Counting

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Instrumentation
• Advanced Optical Measurement Techniques

Background:

• High-performance analytical instruments are crucial for detecting weak, fast light signals with picosecond resolution.
• Time-Correlated Single-Photon Counting (TCSPC) is a key technique in fields like biomedical research, chemistry, security, and space applications.
• Advancements in single-photon detectors drive the need for multichannel TCSPC systems for multi-dimensional optical analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present a novel, compact, and versatile 8-channel TCSPC acquisition system.
• To enable high-performance, time-resolved multi-dimensional optical analysis.
• To improve the capabilities of modern TCSPC measurement setups.

Main Methods:

• Designed a novel integrated circuit featuring a multichannel Time-to-Amplitude Converter (TAC) with variable range, a D/A converter, and a parallel adder.
• Integrated a dithering technique using a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for optimized area usage.
• Utilized a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) for digital data processing and storage, and a USB transceiver for real-time data transmission.

Main Results:

• Achieved a high conversion rate of up to 5 MHz per channel.
• Demonstrated extremely low differential nonlinearity (<0.04 peak-to-peak of time bin width).
• Obtained high time resolution down to 20 ps Full-Width Half-Maximum (FWHM) with very low channel crosstalk.

Conclusions:

• The developed 8-channel TCSPC system offers a compact, low-power, and scalable solution for advanced optical measurements.
• The novel integrated circuit and system architecture enable high-speed, high-resolution, and low-noise photon counting.
• This system is well-suited for demanding applications requiring precise temporal analysis of light signals.