Comparing a radiation damage model for avalanche photodiodes through in-situ observation of CubeSat based devices

Space-based quantum technologies are essential building blocks for global quantum networks. However, the optoelectronic components used can be susceptible to radiation damage. Predicting long-term instrument performance in the presence of radiation remains a challenging part of space missions. We present a model that accounts for differences in radiation shielding and can predict the trends for dark count rates of space-based silicon Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes (GM-APD). We find that the predicted trends are correlated with in-situ observations from GM-APDs on-board the SpooQy-1 CubeSat mission. Opto-electronic components in space-based quantum systems are susceptible to radiation damage. The authors present a model that accounts for different radiation shielings that correlate with in-situ observations from GM-APDs onboard the SpooQy-1 CubeSat mission in Low-Earth Orbit.