Photon Detection

Link to GitHub: https://github.com/rkondrat1/FPGA_VHDL/tree/main/FINAL

This project was worked on in the Center for Quantum Science and Engineering in the FPGA department.

The Avnet ZedBoard, the program Vivado, and the programming language VHDL was used throughout this project.

Overall Purpose Summary:

The research team explores time-resolved photon detection to generate 3D images, even in the presence of strong background noise. This final project's goal was to toggle the baseline detection frequency to be randomized, rather than stable. The purpose of having a randomized frequency is to easily detect the number of photons and at what time they were detected. If the frequency is constant, photon detection is more difficult for the team to identify.

For this task, my advisor assigned three individual steps to help me become more accustomed to the programming language, and how to work with the ZedBoard. I have currently completed the first two steps and I am still working to finish the last one but will hopefully accomplish this in the next week.

3D Image Architecture

Step 1: Create a counter in Vivado utilizing VHDL and see the results in Simulink.

Image of Code and Output

Step 2: Use the counter established in Step 1, and toggle one of the LED outputs at a consistent frequency.

Image of Code and Output

Step 3: Use the counter established in Step 1, and modify it to randomly toggle the frequency output and show it on the LED.

Thank you for viewing my Final Project.

For any questions please email me at rachaelikondrat@gmail.com