Quantum Enhanced Imaging with Micro-LED Ultrafast Electronic Visual Display Technology

The Institute of Photonics is a recognised international pioneer of microscopic light-emitting diodes (micro-LEDs), constituting a new high-brightness microdisplay and backlighting technology - being applied, for example, to advanced virtual and augmented reality headsets. These devices have proven interesting capabilities in application areas well beyond simple display functionality, including biophotonics, wireless optical networks, and quantum level imaging. The attraction in this technology is underpinned by direct interfacing to CMOS electronics, operation at very high (Megahertz) frame rates, and data transmission at gigabits/second. The emission wavelength and high-speed modulation characteristics of these micro-LEDs make them an ideal source for detection with silicon single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs), which can detect single photons with sub-nanosecond timing accuracy and can be fabricated into single photon sensitive image sensors. Low resolution micro-LED arrays with up to 16x16 elements and kHz update rates have already been used together with SPADs for proof-of-concept demonstrations in 3D imaging, multi-spectral imaging, and low light level communications operating at a few photons per bit.
This project will transform these earlier concept demonstrations into an unexplored regime of high pixel count and MHz update rates. The research is based on a new generation of 128x128 LED arrays, which are currently being developed at the Institute of Photonics in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, and which present a host of new challenges and opportunities. In order to operate these large arrays in the millions of frames per second regime, it is necessary to accurately control the timing of more than 70 parallel digital control signals with nanosecond precision. The successful applicant will help to develop electronic control interfaces that meet these demands, investigate their effect in different device configurations (e.g. different LED emission wavelength from deep ultra-violet to green), and link them to demands from specific applications, in particular those linked to the National Quantum Hub on Quantum Enhanced Imaging. They will integrate these LED arrays into prototype systems for microfabrication, high frame-rate imaging with single photon sensitivity, and new digital systems that merge sensing and communications functions. The project will encompass optical systems design and development, electronic driver and software coding, and sparse data signal processing techniques, all of which are skills in high demand both in academic research and in industrial R&D. The PhD student will have access to state-of-the-art, custom LED and SPAD array devices, optical characterisation facilities and software tools, and will contribute to the UK's National Programme on Quantum Technologies.