Optical fiber-based dodging device for array single-photon detector and detection system

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical fiber-based dodging device for an array single-photon detector and a detection system. The dodging device comprises a detection lens, a first connector, an optical fiber, a second connector and an optical fiber temperature and humidity control box, the detection lens is connected with one end of the optical fiber through the first connector, the other end of the optical fiber is connected with the second connector, the second connector is used for being connected with the array single-photon detector, the optical fiber is located in the optical fiber temperature and humidity control box, and the optical fiber temperature and humidity control box is used for controlling environment temperature and humidity of the optical fiber. The detection system comprises an array single-photon detector and a dodging device. Through the dodging effect of the optical fiber, photons collected by the detection lens can be irradiated on the photosensitive surface of the pixel array as uniformly as possible, it is guaranteed that each pixel detects the photons with an approximate probability, the uniformity of irradiation of the photons irradiated on the photosensitive surface of the array single-photon detector is improved, the working efficiency of the array pixels is improved, and the reliability of the array single-photon detector is improved. And the performance of the detector is fully utilized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of optics, and in particular to a fiber-optic homogenizing device and detection system for an array of single-photon detectors. Background Technology

[0002] Array-based single-photon detectors (SPPDs) are used for single-photon ranging. Common array sizes include 2×2, 4×4, 8×8, and 32×32. Each pixel independently detects and counts photons. Compared to single-photon ranging using a single-pixel SPPD, using an array-based SPPD increases the detection field of view, enhances noise suppression, and increases the ranging frame rate. The photons detected by the array-based SPPD are collected by a detection lens. After receiving the photons, the detection lens outputs photons to the array-based SPPD, irradiating the array of pixels. The uniformity of this irradiation determines the proportion of photons that can be detected by each pixel. To efficiently utilize each pixel of the array-based SPPD, the irradiation must be as uniform as possible, effectively preventing some pixels from being overexposed while others fail to detect photons, thus fully demonstrating the significance of using an array-based SPPD.

[0003] Conventional detector lenses often fail to uniformly distribute photon irradiance across the photosensitive surface of array single-photon detectors. Therefore, a homogenizing device is needed to improve the uniformity of irradiance on array single-photon detectors. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to address the problem of designing a homogenizing device for improving the irradiation uniformity of array single-photon detectors, and to provide a fiber-optic homogenizing device and detection system for array single-photon detectors.

[0005] To solve the above problems, the present disclosure adopts the following technical solution: In a first aspect, this disclosure provides a fiber-optic-based beam homogenizing device for an array of single-photon detectors, comprising: The device includes a detection lens, a first connector, an optical fiber, a second connector, and an optical fiber temperature and humidity control box. The detection lens is connected to one end of the optical fiber via the first connector, and the other end of the optical fiber is connected to the second connector. The second connector is used to connect to an array of single-photon detectors. The optical fiber is located in the optical fiber temperature and humidity control box, which is used to control the ambient temperature and humidity of the optical fiber.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the fiber optic temperature and humidity control box is used to provide corresponding temperature and humidity for the optical fiber based on the wavelength of the photon signal and the characteristics of the optical fiber. In a preferred embodiment, the detection lens is used to collect photon signals and output the photon signals to the first connector.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the detection lens has a focusing function.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the detection lens includes an aperture and a filter.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, both the first connector and the second connector are circular threaded fiber optic connectors, square fiber optic connectors, LC fiber optic connectors, or circular bayonet-type fiber optic connectors.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the optical fiber is a single-mode optical fiber, a multimode optical fiber, a polarization-maintaining optical fiber, or a graded-index optical fiber.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the optical fiber is a physically contact polished, super-physical contact polished, or beveled physical contact polished optical fiber.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the optical fiber is straight, and the end face of the optical fiber is free of scratches and dust.

[0013] In a second aspect, this disclosure provides a detection system including an array of single-photon detectors, and further including a fiber-optic homogenizing device for the array of single-photon detectors as described in the first aspect.

[0014] This disclosure discloses a light homogenizing device and detection system based on optical fiber for an array single-photon detector. An optical fiber is added between the detection lens and the array pixel single-photon detector. Through the light homogenizing effect of the optical fiber, the photons collected by the detection lens can be irradiated onto the photosensitive surface of the pixel array as uniformly as possible. This ensures that each pixel detects photons with an approximate probability, which can improve the uniformity of photon irradiation on the photosensitive surface of the array single-photon detector, improve the working efficiency of the array pixels, and thus make full use of the performance of the array single-photon detector. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure disclosed herein. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The technical solutions of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments.

[0017] This disclosure provides a fiber-optic-based beam homogenizing device for an array of single-photon detectors. A schematic diagram of its structure and application connection can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 1 The light homogenizing device includes: Detection lens 1, first connector 2, optical fiber 3, second connector 5, optical fiber temperature and humidity control box 4; The detection lens 1 is connected to one end of the optical fiber 3 via the first connector 2, and the other end of the optical fiber 3 is connected to the second connector 5. The second connector 5 is used to connect the array single-photon detector. The optical fiber 3 is located in the optical fiber temperature and humidity control box 4, which is used to control the ambient temperature and humidity of the optical fiber 3.

[0018] Specifically, the fiber optic temperature and humidity control box 4 is used to provide the fiber optic 3 with a stable / constant temperature and humidity environment based on the wavelength of the photon signal and the characteristics of the fiber optic 3. In other words, it can determine the temperature and humidity of the fiber optic 3 based on the wavelength of the photon signal and the characteristics of the fiber optic 3, and provide the corresponding temperature and humidity accordingly.

[0019] The detection lens 1 is used to collect photon signals and output the photon signals to the first connector 2. The detection lens 1 includes an aperture and a filter and has a focusing function.

[0020] Both the first connector 2 and the second connector 5 can be any one of the following: circular threaded fiber optic connector (FC, Ferrule Connector), square fiber optic connector (SC, Square Connector), small square fiber optic connector (LC interface, LC stands for Lucent Connector, which can be called LC fiber optic connector), and circular bayonet fiber optic connector (ST, Straight Tip or Stab & Twist interface). Preferably, both are small square fiber optic connectors.

[0021] The optical fiber 3 can be a single-mode fiber (SMF), a multimode fiber (MMF), a polarization-maintaining fiber (PMF), or a graded-index fiber (GRIN). When the photon signal has more than one optical mode, a multimode fiber is preferred. In polarization-sensitive scenarios, a polarization-maintaining fiber is preferred.

[0022] The polishing type of the end face of the optical fiber 3 can be physical contact polishing (PC), ultra-physical contact polishing (UPC), or beveled physical contact polishing (APC), with ultra-physical contact polishing (UPC) being preferred, and optical fiber 3 with no scratches and no dust on the end face being even more preferred.

[0023] Understandably, the optical fiber 3 can be in a bent or straight state during use, and preferably remains in a straight state.

[0024] Understandably, the arrayed single-photon detector is a single-photon detector with two or more pixels. Each pixel is capable of detecting photon signals with single-photon sensitivity.

[0025] See Figure 1This disclosure provides a detection system, including the aforementioned light homogenizing device and an array of single-photon detectors, wherein the array of single-photon detectors is connected to a second connector 5.

[0026] This disclosure proposes a light-uniforming device for connecting an array of single-photon detectors. An optical fiber 3 is added between the detection lens 1 and the array of single-photon detectors. Based on this disclosure, the light-uniforming effect of the optical fiber 3 enables the photons collected by the detection lens 1 to be irradiated onto the photosensitive surface of the pixel array as uniformly as possible, ensuring that each pixel detects photons with an approximate probability. This can improve the uniformity of photon irradiation on the photosensitive surface of the array of single-photon detectors, improve the working efficiency of the array pixels, and thus fully utilize the performance of the single-photon detector.

[0027] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0028] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of this disclosure, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this disclosure, and these all fall within the protection scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fiber-optic homogenizing device for an array of single-photon detectors, characterized in that, include: Detection lens, first connector, optical fiber, second connector, optical fiber temperature and humidity control box; The detection lens is connected to one end of an optical fiber via a first connector, and the other end of the optical fiber is connected to a second connector. The second connector is used to connect to an array of single-photon detectors. The optical fiber is located in an optical fiber temperature and humidity control box, which is used to control the ambient temperature and humidity of the optical fiber.

2. The optical fiber-based homogenizing device for arrayed single-photon detectors according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fiber optic temperature and humidity control box is used to provide corresponding temperature and humidity for the optical fiber based on the wavelength of the photon signal and the characteristics of the optical fiber.

3. The optical fiber-based homogenizing device for arrayed single-photon detectors according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection lens is used to collect photon signals and output the photon signals to the first connector.

4. The optical fiber-based homogenizing device for arrayed single-photon detectors according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection lens has a focusing function.

5. A fiber-optic homogenizing device for an array single-photon detector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection lens includes an aperture and a filter.

6. A fiber-optic homogenizing device for an array single-photon detector according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first connector and the second connector are circular threaded fiber optic connectors, square fiber optic connectors, LC fiber optic connectors, or circular bayonet-type fiber optic connectors.

7. A fiber-optic homogenizing device for an array single-photon detector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical fiber is a single-mode fiber, a multimode fiber, a polarization-maintaining fiber, or a graded-index fiber.

8. A fiber-optic homogenizing device for an array single-photon detector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical fiber is a physically contact polished, super-physical contact polished, or beveled physical contact polished optical fiber.

9. A fiber-optic homogenizing device for an array single-photon detector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical fiber is straight, and its end face is free of scratches and dust.

10. A detection system comprising an array of single-photon detectors, characterized in that, It also includes a fiber-optic homogenizing device for an array of single-photon detectors as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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