Silicon avalanche photodiode operation and lifetime analysis for small satellites

TL;DR

This paper investigates silicon avalanche photodiodes' performance and longevity in satellite environments, proposing a low power voltage adjustment to mitigate temperature effects and analyzing radiation impacts for space applications.

Contribution

It introduces a low power voltage adjustment mechanism and provides empirical data on Si APD radiation tolerance for satellite use.

Findings

The voltage adjustment effectively compensates for temperature fluctuations.

Si APDs can operate beyond satellite lifetime in specific orbits.

Radiation effects significantly impact APD performance over time.

Abstract

Silicon avalanche photodiodes (APDs) are sensitive to operating temperature fluctuations and are also susceptible to radiation flux expected in satellite-based quantum experiments. We introduce a low power voltage adjusting mechanism to overcome the effects of in-orbit temperature fluctuations. We also present data on the performance of Si APDs after irradiation (gamma-ray and proton beam). Combined with an analysis of expected orbital irradiation, we propose that a Si APD in a 400 km equatorial orbit may operate beyond the lifetime of the satellite.