Self-Triaging Photon Detector With Switched Defect Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional photon detectors face inefficiencies due to non-operational detecting sections, which lead to photon loss and detection errors, particularly when defects cause persistent non-superconducting states.

Innovation Solution

The photon detecting component is split into multiple detecting sections, each with an optical and electrical switch, allowing for optical decoupling of non-operational sections and using readout circuitry to determine the state of electrical switches, ensuring efficient photon detection even with defective sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional photon detectors are used with multiple detecting sections, then detection coverage is improved, but photon loss occurs when sections become non-operational

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection coverageVSAvoidphoton loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The detector is divided into multiple independent detecting sections, each with its own optical switch. This segmentation allows individual sections to be isolated when defective, preventing photon loss to non-operational sections while maintaining detection coverage through operational sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Optical switches are introduced to dynamically control the optical coupling between waveguides and detecting sections. When a section becomes non-operational, the optical switch rapidly decouples it from the waveguide, preventing photon loss while allowing operational sections to continue detecting photons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple detecting sections are used to improve reliability, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Readout circuitry automatically determines the state of electrical switches associated with each detecting section, enabling the system to self-diagnose and self-adjust by identifying non-operational sections without external intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If detecting sections are continuously monitored to prevent photon loss, then detection efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Electrical switches and readout circuitry provide continuous monitoring of each detecting section's operational state. This feedback mechanism allows the system to identify non-operational sections and isolate them through optical switches, preventing photon loss while maintaining efficient detection through operational sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design effectively prevents photon loss to non-operational sections and ensures high detection efficiency by utilizing operational sections, even when some sections are defective, thereby enhancing the reliability and accuracy of photon detection.

Implementation Method 1

a detector, optically coupled with the second waveguide, configured to detect one or more photons in the second waveguide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

an optical switch configured to provide an optical coupling between the first waveguide and the second waveguide when the detector is operational

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical Switching:

Data Source

PatentUS12578225B1Self-triaging photon detector

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 PSIQUANTUM CORP

AI summary

An example photon detecting system includes a detector component optically coupled to a waveguide and configured to detect one or more photons from the waveguide. The example photon detecting system further includes an optical switch configured to selectively couple the waveguide to an optical source, wherein the optical switch is configured to de-couple the waveguide from the optical input in accordance with the detector component being in an inactive state. The example photon detecting system also includes readout circuitry coupled to the detector component.