Single Photon Avalanche Diode Arrays for Time-Resolved Raman Spectroscopy

The detection of peaks shifts in Raman spectroscopy enables a fingerprint reconstruction to discriminate among molecules with neither labelling nor sample preparation. Time-resolved Raman spectroscopy is an effective technique to reject the strong fluorescence background that profits from the time s...

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Main Authors: Francesca Madonini, Federica Villa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-06-01
Series:Sensors
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/13/4287
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author Francesca Madonini
Federica Villa
author_facet Francesca Madonini
Federica Villa
author_sort Francesca Madonini
collection DOAJ
description The detection of peaks shifts in Raman spectroscopy enables a fingerprint reconstruction to discriminate among molecules with neither labelling nor sample preparation. Time-resolved Raman spectroscopy is an effective technique to reject the strong fluorescence background that profits from the time scale difference in the two responses: Raman photons are scattered almost instantaneously while fluorescence shows a nanoseconds time constant decay. The combination of short laser pulses with time-gated detectors enables the collection of only those photons synchronous with the pulse, thus rejecting fluorescent ones. This review addresses time-gating issues from the sensor standpoint and identifies single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) arrays as the most suitable single-photon detectors to be rapidly and precisely time-gated without bulky, complex, or expensive setups. At first, we discuss the requirements for ideal Raman SPAD arrays, particularly focusing on the design guidelines for optimized on-chip processing electronics. Then we present some existing SPAD-based architectures, featuring specific operation modes which can be usefully exploited for Raman spectroscopy. Finally, we highlight key aspects for future ultrafast Raman platforms and highly integrated sensors capable of undistorted identification of Raman peaks across many pixels.
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spelling doaj.art-207f2deac8704c77b7b61174c1ec516c2023-11-22T01:21:19ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202021-06-012113428710.3390/s21134287Single Photon Avalanche Diode Arrays for Time-Resolved Raman SpectroscopyFrancesca Madonini0Federica Villa1Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Via G. Ponzio 34/5, 20133 Milano, ItalyDipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Politecnico di Milano, Via G. Ponzio 34/5, 20133 Milano, ItalyThe detection of peaks shifts in Raman spectroscopy enables a fingerprint reconstruction to discriminate among molecules with neither labelling nor sample preparation. Time-resolved Raman spectroscopy is an effective technique to reject the strong fluorescence background that profits from the time scale difference in the two responses: Raman photons are scattered almost instantaneously while fluorescence shows a nanoseconds time constant decay. The combination of short laser pulses with time-gated detectors enables the collection of only those photons synchronous with the pulse, thus rejecting fluorescent ones. This review addresses time-gating issues from the sensor standpoint and identifies single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) arrays as the most suitable single-photon detectors to be rapidly and precisely time-gated without bulky, complex, or expensive setups. At first, we discuss the requirements for ideal Raman SPAD arrays, particularly focusing on the design guidelines for optimized on-chip processing electronics. Then we present some existing SPAD-based architectures, featuring specific operation modes which can be usefully exploited for Raman spectroscopy. Finally, we highlight key aspects for future ultrafast Raman platforms and highly integrated sensors capable of undistorted identification of Raman peaks across many pixels.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/13/4287time-resolved Raman spectroscopyfluorescence suppressionsingle photon avalanche diode (SPAD)SPAD arraytime gatingsingle photon counting (SPC)
spellingShingle Francesca Madonini
Federica Villa
Single Photon Avalanche Diode Arrays for Time-Resolved Raman Spectroscopy
Sensors
time-resolved Raman spectroscopy
fluorescence suppression
single photon avalanche diode (SPAD)
SPAD array
time gating
single photon counting (SPC)
title Single Photon Avalanche Diode Arrays for Time-Resolved Raman Spectroscopy
title_full Single Photon Avalanche Diode Arrays for Time-Resolved Raman Spectroscopy
title_fullStr Single Photon Avalanche Diode Arrays for Time-Resolved Raman Spectroscopy
title_full_unstemmed Single Photon Avalanche Diode Arrays for Time-Resolved Raman Spectroscopy
title_short Single Photon Avalanche Diode Arrays for Time-Resolved Raman Spectroscopy
title_sort single photon avalanche diode arrays for time resolved raman spectroscopy
topic time-resolved Raman spectroscopy
fluorescence suppression
single photon avalanche diode (SPAD)
SPAD array
time gating
single photon counting (SPC)
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/13/4287
work_keys_str_mv AT francescamadonini singlephotonavalanchediodearraysfortimeresolvedramanspectroscopy
AT federicavilla singlephotonavalanchediodearraysfortimeresolvedramanspectroscopy