This solicitation closed on August 19, 2026
View current Department of Defense opportunities →High-speed Photon-Number-Resolution Quanta Imaging Sensor Array
AI Overview
This RFP seeks a room-temperature photon-number-resolution sensor array capable of detecting multiple simultaneous photons at GHz rates with megapixel scalability. The technology addresses quantum imaging and environmental sensing applications requiring precise photon counting while processing extreme data rates without loss.
This summary is AI-generated from the official solicitation.
Key Details
Official Description
Single-photon counting achieves light detection at the fundamental quantum limit, unlocking next generation capabilities in quantum imaging and environmental sensing, but achieving a higher dynamic range is needed for some applications. For example, biomass or bathymetric lidars receive high count rates from the tree canopy or water surface leading to photon bunching (“pileup”) but can be photon starved when measuring the underlying topology. At least two general categories of Quantum Image Sen...
Change History
High-speed Photon-Number-Resolution Quanta Imaging Sensor Array
Status changed from Open to Closed after topic disappearance
High-speed Photon-Number-Resolution Quanta Imaging Sensor Array
Key Changes for Applicants
Objective Shift
Previous: Photon-Number-Resolution (PNR) pixel array with high counting rates scalable to megapixels
Updated: Single photon counting array with higher dynamic range than current detectors
Impact: Focus narrowed from general PNR/speed optimization to solving the specific problem of dynamic range—detecting both high-intensity and low-intensity signals simultaneously (e.g., lidar applications).
Technical Requirements Relaxed
- Photon Counting Rate: ≥120 MHz per pixel → removed as explicit requirement (now implicit in frame rate specs)
- PNR minimum: ≥16 maintained, but ultimate performance allows trade-offs (up to 2048 PNR OR 256 PNR at different frame rates, not both required)
- EQE/PDE: ≥60% (450-550 nm) → ≥50% (450-532 nm)—slightly lower efficiency, narrower wavelength band
- Burst duration: 10 µs → **
High-speed Photon-Number-Resolution Quanta Imaging Sensor Array
Status changed from Pre-Release to Open
High-speed Photon-Number-Resolution Quanta Imaging Sensor Array
New opportunity: High-speed Photon-Number-Resolution Quanta Imaging Sensor Array
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