18457324. METHODS, ALGORITHMS AND SYSTEMS FOR SUB-NANOSECOND DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING OF PHOTOMULTIPLIER TUBE RESPONSE TO ENABLE MULTI-PHOTON COUNTING IN RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY simplified abstract (Purdue Research Foundation)

METHODS, ALGORITHMS AND SYSTEMS FOR SUB-NANOSECOND DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING OF PHOTOMULTIPLIER TUBE RESPONSE TO ENABLE MULTI-PHOTON COUNTING IN RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY

Organization Name

Purdue Research Foundation

Inventor(s)

Haiyan Wang of West Lafayette IN (US)

Robynn-Lynne Paldi of Albuquerque NM (US)

Aleem Siddiqui of Albuquerque NM (US)

METHODS, ALGORITHMS AND SYSTEMS FOR SUB-NANOSECOND DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING OF PHOTOMULTIPLIER TUBE RESPONSE TO ENABLE MULTI-PHOTON COUNTING IN RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18457324 titled 'METHODS, ALGORITHMS AND SYSTEMS FOR SUB-NANOSECOND DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING OF PHOTOMULTIPLIER TUBE RESPONSE TO ENABLE MULTI-PHOTON COUNTING IN RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY

Simplified Explanation

The computer-implemented method described in the abstract is focused on determining the number of photons contributing to the output of a photonic sensor. Here are some key points to explain the patent/innovation:

• The method involves receiving an electrical signal from the photonic sensor, which is proportional to the number of photons detected at its input over time.
• The photonic sensor is calibrated to have a specific response to a single photon, characterized by an amplitude and time duration within statistically bounded limits.
• A probabilistic boundary is determined to differentiate between sources of noise in the sensor, such as electrical, optical, and thermal sources.
• Each response waveform from the sensor is acquired through analog-to-digital conversion with a resolution matching the required accuracy for quantifying the response.
• The acquired responses are stored individually in real-time or in buffered packets in digital form.
• The number of photons for a specific time-resolved acquisition is determined by evaluating the amplitude of each response waveform.
• A summation of the count of photon arrivals is then performed based on the amplitude evaluation for all time-resolved acquisitions in a given observation period, providing the total number of photon arrivals.

1. 1. 1. Potential Applications

- Photon counting in scientific research - Quantum communication systems - Medical imaging technologies

1. 1. 1. Problems Solved

- Accurate quantification of photon arrivals in photonic sensors - Differentiation of noise sources in sensor outputs

1. 1. 1. Benefits

- Improved precision in photon detection - Enhanced signal-to-noise ratio in sensor readings

1. 1. 1. Potential Commercial Applications
         1. Photon Counting Technology in Biomedical Imaging

1. 1. 1. Possible Prior Art

There are existing methods for photon counting in photonic sensors, but the specific approach outlined in this patent application, including the calibration of sensor responses and probabilistic noise analysis, appears to be novel.

1. 1. 1. 1. Unanswered Questions
         2. How does this method compare to traditional photon counting techniques?

This method offers a more precise and statistically bounded approach to quantifying photon arrivals, potentially improving accuracy in sensor readings.

1. 1. 1. 1. What impact could this innovation have on industries relying on photon detection technologies?

Industries such as quantum communication, medical imaging, and scientific research could benefit from the enhanced accuracy and noise differentiation provided by this method.

Original Abstract Submitted

A computer-implemented method of determining the number of photons contributing to an output of a photonic sensor, including receiving an electrical signal from the photonic sensor proportional to a number of photons the photonic sensor detects at its input as a function of time, wherein the photonic sensor is calibrated such that a response of the photonic sensor to a single photon detected is in a waveform comprising an amplitude and time, wherein the product amplitude X time is statistically bounded, determining a probabilistic boundary between one or more of electrical, optical, and thermal sources of noise of the sensor, acquiring each response wave form from the sensor through analog-to-digital conversion with a resolution in amplitude and time corresponding to accuracy required in quantifying the response, storing each acquired response, individually, in real-time, or in buffered packets in digital form, determining the number of photons for a specific time resolved acquisition, and effecting a summation of the count of photon arrivals obtained based on amplitude evaluation from each specific time resolved acquisition, for all time resolved acquisitions performed in a given observation period, yielding the number of photon arrivals associated with the amplitude evaluation.