NSF Award
9901715
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II award is to continue development of an avalanche photodiode for use as a high gain photon imaging device. Phase II of this project includes the development of device structures optimized for two applications in low light level imaging: a single optical photon imaging device that generates the time and position of incidence for each detected optical photon event, and a scintillator coupled device that provides time and position of incidence information for high energy photons captured in an array of scintillator blocks. The imaging avalanche photodiode promises a lower cost, wider dynamic range alternative to microchannel plate based single photon imaging detectors and will provide data in a format that is more conducive to rapid analysis than traditional image files. Applications for the device include<br/> a variety of emerging techniques for real time in-vivo imaging of physiological and developmental processes such as reporter gene activity, calcium dynamics and free radical production using luminescent indicators. When coupled to a scintillator block array, the imaging avalanche photodiode promises a lower cost, smaller detector module than current photomultiplier-based approaches for compact geometry gamma ray imaging applications, with the added feature of being able to operate in high magnetic fields.<br/> The imaging avalanche photodiodes (IAPD) will lead to the commercialization of a number of important, affordable instruments both for basic research as well as diagnostic screening. In addition to facilitating luminescence-based research, the IAPD will enable a more robust approach to gamma ray imaging for PET and dual use modalities.
