Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Brainiaqs (BRAIN IMAGING WITH ARRAYS OF QUANTUM SENSORS)
Período documentado: 2020-10-16 hasta 2022-01-15
Fundamental new insights in life sciences have often been enabled by new scientific tools based on new technologies. In particular, optical techniques are quickly gaining ground in biological imaging because they allow for precise and non-invasive imaging along with the ability to label and identify specific molecules while avoiding ionization in contrast to, for instance, X- rays. Optical techniques can be used in fundamental studies and diagnostics, as well as to monitor emerging photo-therapies targeting cancer cells. Yet for many real-world applications, optical technologies still face considerable challenges due to limited detector performances in the infrared, a spectral region that holds very important potentials to improve image contrasts, monitor new processes and image far deeper in tissues. While outstanding infrared detectors are available with very limited pixel numbers for tis spectral range, biological imaging requires large arrays of high-performance optical sensors. In this project we will push state of the art sensor arrays from 2x2 pixels to 10x10 pixels to enable and demonstrate new brain imaging techniques.
The objectives are:
1) Develop a 100-pixel array of quantum sensors based on superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors, with >80% detection efficiency, <20 ps time resolution and <50 ns deadtime able to count single photons in the wavelength range 1000-2500 nm.
2) Develop a near-IR Multi-Photon Microscopy system specifically designed to operate with near-IR chromophores and implement the detector of objective (1). The system will allow for a detection area of 1 mm2.
3) Use the near-IR Multi-Photon Microscopy system to noninvasively image biological functions in a mouse brain at millimetre depth.
The objectives are:
1) Develop a 100-pixel array of quantum sensors based on superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors, with >80% detection efficiency, <20 ps time resolution and <50 ns deadtime able to count single photons in the wavelength range 1000-2500 nm.
2) Develop a near-IR Multi-Photon Microscopy system specifically designed to operate with near-IR chromophores and implement the detector of objective (1). The system will allow for a detection area of 1 mm2.
3) Use the near-IR Multi-Photon Microscopy system to noninvasively image biological functions in a mouse brain at millimetre depth.
We produced large area multi-pixel detection systems integrated with a scalable cryogenic electronic platform. An important concept is based on the development of a closed cycle cryostat with high enough cooling power for a one hundred pixels that is still compact and easy-to-use. Current single-pixel devices are cooled using low power cryogenic cooling units (see figure 3, right). The current cooling power is not sufficient to cool the large arrays of superconducting sensors proposed in this project. Cryogenic cooling units that have far more cooling power than what is currently used by Single Quantum are available.
We design and fabricated arrays of superconducting quantum sensors organized in bins for spectroscopy and imaging achieving high efficiency (up to 90%), low dark counts (down to 10 cps) and an ultrahigh time resolution (<10 ps) both in the visible and near-infrared. So far we have shown that we can scale up the detectors to 24 pixels, with an active area of about 50x50 micrometer.
The readout electronics that sense and amplify the photon detection signal have a significant influence to the overall detector characteristics, such as timing jitter, reset times and maximum count rates. Cryogenic low-noise amplification of extremely weak SNSPD output signal can significantly improve the signal-to-noise-ratio, thereby minimizing timing jitter. We have designed and characterized the first low noise amplifiers based on SiGe for operation with SNSPDs.
To show the innovation potential of the newly developed instrument we have implemented the detectors in a first bioimaging experiment. This has been done in close collaboration with project partner EMBL in order to ensure a timely dissemination of our technology and to receive critical feedback that will allow us to further tailor the microscope’s performance parameters for utmost practicality and impact. The first proof of principle measurements have been performed.
We design and fabricated arrays of superconducting quantum sensors organized in bins for spectroscopy and imaging achieving high efficiency (up to 90%), low dark counts (down to 10 cps) and an ultrahigh time resolution (<10 ps) both in the visible and near-infrared. So far we have shown that we can scale up the detectors to 24 pixels, with an active area of about 50x50 micrometer.
The readout electronics that sense and amplify the photon detection signal have a significant influence to the overall detector characteristics, such as timing jitter, reset times and maximum count rates. Cryogenic low-noise amplification of extremely weak SNSPD output signal can significantly improve the signal-to-noise-ratio, thereby minimizing timing jitter. We have designed and characterized the first low noise amplifiers based on SiGe for operation with SNSPDs.
To show the innovation potential of the newly developed instrument we have implemented the detectors in a first bioimaging experiment. This has been done in close collaboration with project partner EMBL in order to ensure a timely dissemination of our technology and to receive critical feedback that will allow us to further tailor the microscope’s performance parameters for utmost practicality and impact. The first proof of principle measurements have been performed.
The 24 pixel SNSPD is the first detector this large that is commercially available. Operating this in our new cryostat could open a wide range of applications
So far, low noise amplifiers traditionally obtained with InP HEMT amplifiers. Recently, silicon SiGe HBT technologies have shown to obtain noise figures comparable to InP HEMTs7. The benefit of silicon technologies is their better integration capabilities that is essential for large arrays along with low power consumption and good performances in the DC-3GHz range where we need amplification. So far this type of amplifiers has never been used with sensors based on superconducting nanowires, however it is expected a design can be made that is suitable to amplify the signal of these type of sensors. For the bio-imaging application the detectors were compared to traditional detectors. Although not using them yet at the wavelength with the highest potential, a clear improvement in signal to noise ratio has been shown.
So far, low noise amplifiers traditionally obtained with InP HEMT amplifiers. Recently, silicon SiGe HBT technologies have shown to obtain noise figures comparable to InP HEMTs7. The benefit of silicon technologies is their better integration capabilities that is essential for large arrays along with low power consumption and good performances in the DC-3GHz range where we need amplification. So far this type of amplifiers has never been used with sensors based on superconducting nanowires, however it is expected a design can be made that is suitable to amplify the signal of these type of sensors. For the bio-imaging application the detectors were compared to traditional detectors. Although not using them yet at the wavelength with the highest potential, a clear improvement in signal to noise ratio has been shown.