Simulation / ModellingTrack 2

Leonardo UK Short and Mid Wave Avalanche Photodiode Development for Low Flux Detection in Astronomy Applications

Dr. Vinita Mittal

Leonardo Uk Ltd

Day

Monday · 2026-10-12

Time

2:00 PM - 3:20 PM

Track

Track 2

Session

Detector Manufacturers: recent highlights and roadmaps

Venue

ICSO 2026 Conference Venue

Hall Track 2Session Detector Manufacturers: recent highlights and roadmaps

Track indicates the session hall. Refer to the on-site programme board for the exact room number and any last-minute room changes.

In 30 seconds

Leonardo UK is developing Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) Avalanche Photodiode (APD) technology to enable photon-counting sensitivity for weak signal detection in space astronomy. By growing MCT layers on GaAs substrates and optimizing the band gap for low-noise performance, these detectors detect few-photon signals without saturating. This architecture significantly improves sensitivity for high-precision space-based infrared imaging.

Read the full paper

Access the complete technical paper via the official ICSO 2026 programme.

Read Full Paper

Topics & Subtopics

Detectors & Photonics Optical Hardware & ManufacturingSWIR / InfraredInfrared DetectorsSingle-Photon DetectorsDetector ElectronicsImaging PayloadsInstrument PerformanceSingle-Photon DetectionAstronomical InstrumentationUV / VIS / IR AstronomyOptical Materials