Comparing a radiation damage model for avalanche photodiodes through in-situ observation of CubeSat based devices

Arpad Lenart; Tanvirul Islam; Srihari  Sivasankaran; Peter  Neilson; Bernhard Hidding; Daniel Oi; Alexander Ling

doi:10.1038/s42005-025-02042-z

Comparing a radiation damage model for avalanche photodiodes through in-situ observation of CubeSat based devices

Arpad Lenart^*, Tanvirul Islam, Srihari Sivasankaran, Peter Neilson, Bernhard Hidding, Daniel Oi, Alexander Ling

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Space-based quantum technologies are essential building blocks for global quantum networks. However, the optoelectronic components used can be susceptible to radiation damage. Predicting long-term instrument performance in the presence of radiation remains a challenging part of space missions. We present a model that accounts for differences in radiation shielding and can predict the trends for dark count rates of space-based silicon Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes (GM-APD). We find that the predicted trends are correlated with in-situ observations from GM-APDs on-board the SpooQy-1 CubeSat mission.

Original language	English
Article number	118
Number of pages	7
Journal	Communications Physics
Volume	8
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-025-02042-z
Publication status	Published - 26 Mar 2025

Funding

DO acknowledges support from the EPSRC Researchers in Residence at the Satellite Applications Catapult (EPSRC Grant Ref: EP/T517288/1). DO and A. Lenart acknowledge support from the International Network in Space Quantum Technologies (EP/W027011/1), the EPSRC Quantum Technology Hub in Quantum Communication (EP/T001011/1), and the Integrated Quantum Networks Research Hub (EP/Z533208/1). A. Lenart acknowledges the support of an EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership award. ALing acknowledges the support from the National Research Foundation, Singapore, under its Central Gap Fund (Ref: NRF2018NRFCG001-001).

Keywords

quantum networks
radiation shielding
optoelectronic components
space

Access to Document

10.1038/s42005-025-02042-zLicence: CC BY 4.0

Lenart-etal-NatCom-2025-Comparing-a-radiation-damage-model-for-avalanche-photodiodesFinal published version, 1.54 MBLicence: CC BY 4.0

https://arxiv.org/abs/2209.00408

1 Finished
3 Active

Integrated Quantum Networks (IQN) Quantum Technology Research Hub
Oi, D. (Principal Investigator)
EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council)
1/09/24 → 31/08/29
Project: Research
International Network in Space Quantum Technologies
Oi, D. (Principal Investigator) & Griffin, P. (Co-investigator)
EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council)
14/02/22 → 31/08/25
Project: Research
The EPSRC Quantum Communications Hub
Oi, D. (Principal Investigator) & Sidhu, J. (Researcher)
EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council)
1/12/19 → 30/11/25
Project: Research

Cite this

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title = "Comparing a radiation damage model for avalanche photodiodes through in-situ observation of CubeSat based devices",

abstract = "Space-based quantum technologies are essential building blocks for global quantum networks. However, the optoelectronic components used can be susceptible to radiation damage. Predicting long-term instrument performance in the presence of radiation remains a challenging part of space missions. We present a model that accounts for differences in radiation shielding and can predict the trends for dark count rates of space-based silicon Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes (GM-APD). We find that the predicted trends are correlated with in-situ observations from GM-APDs on-board the SpooQy-1 CubeSat mission.",

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AU - Lenart, Arpad

AU - Islam, Tanvirul

AU - Sivasankaran, Srihari

AU - Neilson, Peter

AU - Hidding, Bernhard

AU - Oi, Daniel

AU - Ling, Alexander

PY - 2025/3/26

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AB - Space-based quantum technologies are essential building blocks for global quantum networks. However, the optoelectronic components used can be susceptible to radiation damage. Predicting long-term instrument performance in the presence of radiation remains a challenging part of space missions. We present a model that accounts for differences in radiation shielding and can predict the trends for dark count rates of space-based silicon Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes (GM-APD). We find that the predicted trends are correlated with in-situ observations from GM-APDs on-board the SpooQy-1 CubeSat mission.

KW - quantum networks

KW - radiation shielding

KW - optoelectronic components

KW - space

U2 - 10.1038/s42005-025-02042-z

DO - 10.1038/s42005-025-02042-z

M3 - Article

SN - 2399-3650

VL - 8

JO - Communications Physics

JF - Communications Physics

M1 - 118

ER -

Comparing a radiation damage model for avalanche photodiodes through in-situ observation of CubeSat based devices

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

Access to Document

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Projects

Integrated Quantum Networks (IQN) Quantum Technology Research Hub

International Network in Space Quantum Technologies

The EPSRC Quantum Communications Hub

Cite this