Aqueye+: a new ultrafast single photon counter for optical high time resolution astrophysics

TL;DR

Aqueye+ is an advanced ultrafast optical photon counter utilizing SPAD technology, offering unprecedented high time resolution and new capabilities for astrophysics, including coronography and atmospheric monitoring.

Contribution

It introduces a significantly improved ultrafast photon counting instrument with innovative features and capabilities not available in previous models or existing devices.

Findings

Achieved high timing precision and sensitivity.

Demonstrated successful first performance tests.

Enhanced capabilities for astronomical observations.

Abstract

Aqueye+ is a new ultrafast optical single photon counter, based on single photon avalanche photodiodes (SPAD) and a 4-fold split-pupil concept. It is a completely revisited version of its predecessor, Aqueye, successfully mounted at the 182 cm Copernicus telescope in Asiago. Here we will present the new technological features implemented on Aqueye+, namely a state of the art timing system, a dedicated and optimized optical train, a high sensitivity and high frame rate field camera and remote control, which will give Aqueye plus much superior performances with respect to its predecessor, unparalleled by any other existing fast photometer. The instrument will host also an optical vorticity module to achieve high performance astronomical coronography and a real time acquisition of atmospheric seeing unit. The present paper describes the instrument and its first performances.