Note: Space qualified solid state photon counting detector with reduced detection delay temperature drift

Area of Science:

• Space Science and Technology
• Optical Metrology
• Detector Physics

Background:

• Laser time transfer requires high-precision detectors for ground-to-space measurements.
• Temperature variations in space negatively impact detector stability and accuracy.
• Existing solid-state photon counters face limitations due to temperature-dependent delay.

Purpose of the Study:

• To improve the temperature stability of a space-qualified solid-state photon counter.
• To reduce systematic errors in laser time transfer by stabilizing detector delay.
• To achieve sub-picosecond precision in ground-to-space laser time transfer.

Main Methods:

• Modified the control circuit of a space-qualified solid-state photon counter.
• Optimized the detector's operating temperature characteristics.
• Characterized the temperature coefficient of detection delay and timing performance.

Main Results:

• Achieved a low temperature coefficient of detection delay (20 fs/K) between +22 °C and +46 °C.
• Maintained timing resolution (40 ps FWHM) and photon detection probability (30%).
• Enabled laser time transfer precision below 40 fs (time deviation) with 2000 s averaging.

Conclusions:

• The modified photon counting detector offers superior temperature stability for laser time transfer.
• The achieved detection delay stability is the best reported for photon counting detectors.
• The enhanced detector is suitable for future space missions requiring high-precision time transfer.