Designing Quantum Devices and Architectures in CMOS

Edoardo Charbon, AQUA Group, EPFL

 

Abstract: Why do we care about detecting single energy quanta, particularly single photons? This field of study is not as exotic as the title suggests. The world is not analog, it is actually a quantum world. Understanding how to sense and model macroscopic phenomena using the quantum paradigm has enabled breakthroughs in a number of disciplines from computer vision to telecommunications, but it has an even greater potential in computing, medical and bio-imaging, and human-computer interfaces.

With the integration of Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs) in CMOS technology, the design of scalable single photon imagers has become possible. SPAD pixels exhibit high sensitivity, dynamic range and low jitter, thus enabling new as well as conventional applications. Moreover, due to the digital nature of SPAD detectors, imager architectures may be significantly simplified with the elimination of traditional components such as amplifiers, S/Hs, and ADCs as well as complex readout schemes and 1/f or FPN suppression techniques.

In this talk we discuss SPAD based sensors and the architectural challenges posed by the quantum paradigm in CMOS integrated circuits. We introduce basic solid-state physics underlying SPADs and discuss several modeling issues. We present recent developments and future research directions, focusing on 3D vision, high-speed cameras, and high-performance computing. We also outline ideas in emerging fields of CAD for the development, test, and characterization of next generation sensors.

 

About the speaker: Edoardo Charbon recieved his Diploma in Electrotechnik from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich (ETHZ) in 1988. He received his MS degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from University of California at San Diego and his PhD degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences from University of california at Berkeley in 1991 and 1995 respectively.

Currently he is an SNSF Professor with the School of Computer and Communication Sciences, EPFL. Edoardo Charbon's research interests include low-power 3D/2D optical imagers and quantum imagers, electronic design automation, virtual human-computer interfaces, intellectual property protection and security.

 

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