Operation of a tunable Power over Fiber system for light detectors down to 4.6 K

A.Andreani; A.Falcone; C.Brizzolari; C.Gotti; D.Santoro; E.J.Cristaldo Morales; F.Terranova; G.Pessina; L.Meazza; M.J.Delgado Gonzalez

arxiv: 2512.21207 · v2 · submitted 2025-12-24 · ⚛️ physics.ins-det · hep-ex

Operation of a tunable Power over Fiber system for light detectors down to 4.6 K

A.Andreani , C.Brizzolari , E.J.Cristaldo Morales , M.J.Delgado Gonzalez , A.Falcone , N.Gallice , C.Gotti , M.Lazzaroni

show 6 more authors

L.Meazza G.Pessina D.Santoro F.Terranova M.Torti V.Trabattoni

This is my paper

Pith reviewed 2026-05-16 19:32 UTC · model grok-4.3

classification ⚛️ physics.ins-det hep-ex

keywords Power over Fibercryogenic detectorsphotovoltaic convertertunable biaslight detectors4.6 K

0 comments

The pith

A single-laser Power over Fiber system powers cryogenic light detectors with tunable bias down to 4.6 K.

A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.

The paper shows how laser light sent through an optical fiber can be converted to electrical power at a remote photovoltaic converter to run photosensors and their amplifiers. The design uses one laser input and lets the photosensor bias voltage be changed simply by raising or lowering the laser power. Successful operation is reported at temperatures as low as 4.6 K. A reader would care because the approach removes the need for metal power cables, avoids sparks in high electric fields, and cuts electromagnetic noise that can interfere with sensitive light detection.

Core claim

The Cryo-PoF project developed a single-laser Power over Fiber line that supplies power to an electronic amplifier and photosensors at cryogenic temperatures; the photosensor bias is tuned by varying the input laser power, and the optical converter continues to function at temperatures down to 4.6 K.

What carries the argument

The photovoltaic optical converter that turns incoming laser light into usable electrical power while allowing bias adjustment through changes in the laser input power.

If this is right

The system supplies spark-free power inside high electric field regions of cryogenic detectors.
Power line noise and electromagnetic interference are removed from the light detection chain.
The same tunable approach can be used for photosensors in other low-temperature setups beyond the original DUNE design.

Where Pith is reading between the lines

These are editorial extensions of the paper, not claims the author makes directly.

Real-time bias adjustment during an experiment becomes possible without extra control wires.
Cabling mass and complexity drop in large cryogenic arrays that use many light detectors.
The technology may extend to other extreme environments such as space-based sensors where fiber delivery is already preferred.

Load-bearing premise

The photovoltaic converter keeps stable efficiency and tunability when cooled to 4.6 K and integrated with actual photosensors under realistic operating conditions.

What would settle it

Vary the laser input power at 4.6 K and record whether the delivered bias voltage changes in proportion without sudden drops in efficiency or output instability.

read the original abstract

The Power over Fiber (PoF) technology delivers electrical power by transmitting laser light through a lightweight, non-conductive fiber optic cable to a remote photovoltaic optical converter, which in turn powers sensors or electrical devices. Among the several advantages offered by this solution are spark-free operation in the presence of electric fields, elimination of noise induced by power lines, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and high robustness in hostile environments. The R\&D for the application of PoF in cryogenic environments started at FNAL and BNL (USA) in 2020 to power the Photon Detection System of the DUNE Vertical Drift module. This paper presents the results obtained in the framework of Cryo-PoF project where we developed a single-laser input line system to power an electronic amplifier and the photosensors at cryogenic temperatures. Unlike the DUNE solution, our system allows tuning of the photosensor bias by adjusting the input laser power. We also demonstrate the operation of the optical converter at temperatures down to 4.6 K, opening the possibility of using this technology in a much broader range of applications.

Editorial analysis

A structured set of objections, weighed in public.

Desk editor's note, referee report, simulated authors' rebuttal, and a circularity audit. Tearing a paper down is the easy half of reading it; the pith above is the substance, this is the friction.

Desk Editor's Note private letter to a colleague

The paper shows a tunable single-laser PoF system working at 4.6 K but reports no efficiency, power, or stability numbers at that temperature.

read the letter

The main takeaway is that the authors built a single-laser PoF setup that powers an amplifier and photosensors while allowing bias tuning by varying the laser input, and they got it to run at 4.6 K. This is a modest step past the 2020 FNAL/BNL DUNE work, which used a different architecture without the tuning feature. The practical advantage is clear: no conductive cables means less EMI and spark risk in high-field cryogenic environments. The test at 4.6 K is the concrete new data point and supports their claim that the approach could apply more broadly than just DUNE-style detectors. The engineering description is straightforward and focuses on real hardware choices that matter for photosensor biasing. The soft spot is the absence of numbers. The abstract states that operation and tunability were demonstrated, yet it gives no efficiency at 4.6 K, no delivered power to the load, no output voltage stability, and no comparison of tuning range between room temperature and base temperature. Without those, the result stays at the level of “it did not fail” rather than a calibrated performance report that would let someone judge readiness for a full detector. The stress-test concern holds up on the given text; if the full paper contains unreported figures with those metrics, the letter would need updating, but nothing in the abstract or summary supplies them. This paper is for instrumentation groups building cryogenic light detectors in neutrino or dark-matter experiments. Readers looking for a working example of tunable PoF in the cold will get usable ideas from the setup. It is not a foundational paper, but the experimental result is grounded and the gap it fills is real enough that I would send it to peer review. A referee can request the missing quantitative data without derailing the work.

Referee Report

2 major / 1 minor

Summary. The paper presents results from the Cryo-PoF project on a single-laser-input Power over Fiber system designed to power an electronic amplifier and photosensors at cryogenic temperatures. Unlike the DUNE Vertical Drift approach, the system permits photosensor bias tuning via adjustment of the input laser power. The central experimental result is the demonstration that the optical converter operates at temperatures down to 4.6 K.

Significance. If the performance metrics hold, the work provides a practical route to PoF in a wider class of cryogenic detectors, retaining the advantages of spark-free operation, EMI immunity, and low-mass cabling while adding bias tunability. The 4.6 K demonstration extends the technology beyond the DUNE-specific regime.

major comments (2)

[Abstract] Abstract and Results section: the claim of successful operation and tunability at 4.6 K is stated without any reported quantitative metrics (conversion efficiency, delivered electrical power, output voltage stability, or bias-tuning range versus laser power). These data are load-bearing for the assertion that the technology opens a much broader range of applications.
[Results] Results section: no comparison is provided between room-temperature and 4.6 K performance (e.g., efficiency drop, stability under load, or long-term drift), leaving open whether the converter remains usable for actual detector data-taking conditions.

minor comments (1)

[Abstract] Abstract: the phrase 'opening the possibility of using this technology in a much broader range of applications' would be strengthened by a single sentence summarizing the achieved power or efficiency at 4.6 K.

Simulated Author's Rebuttal

2 responses · 0 unresolved

We thank the referee for the positive assessment of our work's significance and for the constructive major comments. We have revised the manuscript to address the requests for quantitative metrics and performance comparisons.

read point-by-point responses

Referee: [Abstract] Abstract and Results section: the claim of successful operation and tunability at 4.6 K is stated without any reported quantitative metrics (conversion efficiency, delivered electrical power, output voltage stability, or bias-tuning range versus laser power). These data are load-bearing for the assertion that the technology opens a much broader range of applications.

Authors: We agree that the abstract and Results section would be strengthened by explicit quantitative metrics. The original manuscript emphasized the demonstration of operation and tunability but did not tabulate the specific values. In the revised version we have updated the abstract and added a dedicated paragraph plus table in the Results section reporting the measured conversion efficiency, delivered electrical power, output voltage stability, and bias-tuning range versus laser power. revision: yes
Referee: [Results] Results section: no comparison is provided between room-temperature and 4.6 K performance (e.g., efficiency drop, stability under load, or long-term drift), leaving open whether the converter remains usable for actual detector data-taking conditions.

Authors: We agree that a direct comparison is valuable for assessing usability under detector conditions. We have added a new subsection and accompanying figure in the revised Results section that compares room-temperature and 4.6 K performance, including efficiency drop, load stability, and observed long-term drift. revision: yes

Circularity Check

0 steps flagged

No circularity: pure experimental demonstration

full rationale

The paper reports the construction and laboratory testing of a tunable PoF system, including direct measurements of operation at 4.6 K. No equations, models, fitted parameters, or derivations appear in the provided text. All claims rest on physical test results rather than any self-referential logic, self-citation chains, or renaming of inputs as predictions. The derivation chain is absent.

Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger

0 free parameters · 1 axioms · 0 invented entities

The central claim rests on experimental demonstration of existing photovoltaic conversion physics under cryogenic conditions. No new free parameters, invented entities, or ad-hoc axioms are introduced beyond standard assumptions about semiconductor behavior at low temperature.

axioms (1)

domain assumption Photovoltaic converters function according to known semiconductor physics at cryogenic temperatures
Invoked implicitly when claiming stable operation down to 4.6 K without new material development.

pith-pipeline@v0.9.0 · 5555 in / 1230 out tokens · 41657 ms · 2026-05-16T19:32:07.084590+00:00 · methodology

discussion (0)

Lean theorems connected to this paper

Citations machine-checked in the Pith Canon. Every link opens the source theorem in the public Lean library.

IndisputableMonolith/Cost/FunctionalEquation.lean washburn_uniqueness_aczel unclear

?

unclear
Relation between the paper passage and the cited Recognition theorem.

The OPC maximum efficiency Eff is given by: Eff = P_OPC_max / P_in ... efficiency ... ~35% at liquid nitrogen temperature ... 29% at 4.6 K

What do these tags mean?

matches: The paper's claim is directly supported by a theorem in the formal canon.
supports: The theorem supports part of the paper's argument, but the paper may add assumptions or extra steps.
extends: The paper goes beyond the formal theorem; the theorem is a base layer rather than the whole result.
uses: The paper appears to rely on the theorem as machinery.
contradicts: The paper's claim conflicts with a theorem or certificate in the canon.
unclear: Pith found a possible connection, but the passage is too broad, indirect, or ambiguous to say the theorem truly supports the claim.

Reference graph

Works this paper leans on

20 extracted references · 20 canonical work pages

[1]

Power over fiber: a review of replacing copper by fiber in critical applications

J.G. Werthen, S. Widjaja, T.C. Wu, and J. Liu, "Power over fiber: a review of replacing copper by fiber in critical applications", Proc. SPIE 5871, Opt. Tech. for Arming, Safing, Fuzing, and Firing, 58710C (2005)

work page 2005
[2]

Abed Abud, et al

A. Abed Abud, et al. (DUNE collaboration), The DUNE Far Detector Vertical Drift Technology. Technical Design Report, 2024 JINST 19 T08004, doi: 10.1088/1748-0221/19/08/T08004

work page doi:10.1088/1748-0221/19/08/t08004 2024
[3]

Abi, et al

B. Abi, et al. (DUNE collaboration), Long-baseline neutrino oscillation physics potential of the DUNE experiment, Eur. Phys. J. C 80 (2020) 978, doi: 10.1140/epjc/s10052-020-08456-z

work page doi:10.1140/epjc/s10052-020-08456-z 2020
[4]

Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), Far Detector Technical Design Report, Volume II: DUNE Physics,

B. Abi, et al. (DUNE collaboration), Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), Far Detector Technical Design Report. Volume II: DUNE Physics, arXiv:2002.03005

work page arXiv 2002
[5]

Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), Far Detector Technical Design Report, Volume I Introduction to DUNE.JINST2020,15, T08008, [arXiv:physics.ins-det/2002.02967]

B. Abi, et al.(DUNE collaboration), Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), Far Detector Technical Design Report. Volume I: Introduction to DUNE, 2020 JINST 15 T08008, doi: 10.1088/1748-0221/15/08/T08008

work page doi:10.1088/1748-0221/15/08/t08008 2020
[6]

Abi et al

B. Abi et al. (DUNE collaboration), Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), Far Detector Technical Design Report. Volume IV: Far Detector Single-phase Technology, 2020 JINST 15 T08010, doi: 10.1088/1748-0221/15/08/T08010

work page doi:10.1088/1748-0221/15/08/t08010 2020
[7]

Machado et al., The X-ARAPUCA: an improvement of the ARAPUCA device, 2018 JINST 13 C04026, doi: 10.1088/1748-0221/13/04/C04026

A.A. Machado et al., The X-ARAPUCA: an improvement of the ARAPUCA device, 2018 JINST 13 C04026, doi: 10.1088/1748-0221/13/04/C04026

work page doi:10.1088/1748-0221/13/04/c04026 2018
[8]

Matsuura, Recent Advancement in Power-over-Fiber Technologies, Photonics 8 (2021) 335, doi: 10.3390/photonics8080335

M. Matsuura, Recent Advancement in Power-over-Fiber Technologies, Photonics 8 (2021) 335, doi: 10.3390/photonics8080335

work page doi:10.3390/photonics8080335 2021
[9]

Rosolem, Power-Over-Fiber Applications for Telecommunications and for Electric Utilities, in Optical Fiber and Wireless Communications, R

J.B. Rosolem, Power-Over-Fiber Applications for Telecommunications and for Electric Utilities, in Optical Fiber and Wireless Communications, R. Roka, ed., InTech (2017), doi: 10.5772/68088

work page doi:10.5772/68088 2017
[10]

Arroyave et al,Characterization and novel application of power over fiber for electronics in a harsh environment, 2024 JINST 19 P10019, doi: /10.1088/1748-0221/19/10/P10019

M.A. Arroyave et al,Characterization and novel application of power over fiber for electronics in a harsh environment, 2024 JINST 19 P10019, doi: /10.1088/1748-0221/19/10/P10019

work page doi:10.1088/1748-0221/19/10/p10019 2024
[11]

Broadcom, 808-nm High-Power 2W Laser Module, https://docs.broadcom.com/docs/AFBR-POMEK2204-PB

work page
[12]

Cryogenic characterization of FBK NUV-HD-Cryo 3T2 SiPM sensors for the DUNE photon detection system

F. Acerbi et al., "Cryogenic characterization of FBK NUV-HD-Cryo 3T2 SiPM sensors for the DUNE photon detection system", [arXiv:2511.19095] – 14 –

work page arXiv
[13]

Results from Cryo-PoF Project: Power over Fiber at Cryogenic Temperature for Fundamental and Applied Physics

A. Falcone et al. "Results from Cryo-PoF Project: Power over Fiber at Cryogenic Temperature for Fundamental and Applied Physics", Particles 2025, 8, 41, doi: 10.3390/particles8020041

work page doi:10.3390/particles8020041 2025
[14]

Broadcom, AFBR-POC206L Optical Power Converter 6VDC, FC Port, https://docs.broadcom.com/doc/AFBR-POCxxxL-AN

work page
[15]

Cryogenic characterization of Hamamatsu HWB MPPCs for the DUNE photon detection system

M. Andreotti at al., "Cryogenic characterization of Hamamatsu HWB MPPCs for the DUNE photon detection system", JINST 19 (2024) T01007, doi: 10.1088/1748-0221/19/01/T01007

work page doi:10.1088/1748-0221/19/01/t01007 2024
[16]

Cryogenic front-end amplifier design for large SiPM arrays in the DUNE FD1-HD photon detection system

C. Brizzolari et al., "Cryogenic front-end amplifier design for large SiPM arrays in the DUNE FD1-HD photon detection system", JINST 17 (2022) P11017, doi: 10.1088/1748-0221/17/11/P11017

work page doi:10.1088/1748-0221/17/11/p11017 2022
[17]

Front-End Electronics and Optimal Ganging Schemes for Single Photon Detection With Large Arrays of SiPMs in Liquid Argon

P. Carniti et al., "Front-End Electronics and Optimal Ganging Schemes for Single Photon Detection With Large Arrays of SiPMs in Liquid Argon", IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science - vol. 70 - no. 11 - pp. 2524-2531 - Nov. 2023, doi: 10.1109/TNS.2023.3321955

work page doi:10.1109/tns.2023.3321955 2023
[18]

Development of a cryogenic DC-DC Boost Converter: devices characterization and first prototype measurements

N. Gallice et al., "Development of a cryogenic DC-DC Boost Converter: devices characterization and first prototype measurements", 2022 IEEE I2MTC, 1-6, doi: 10.1109/I2MTC48687.2022.9806646

work page doi:10.1109/i2mtc48687.2022.9806646 2022
[19]

DC-DC Boost Converter Design With Analog Feedback Control for Cryogenic Applications

D. Santoro et al., "DC-DC Boost Converter Design With Analog Feedback Control for Cryogenic Applications", IEEE Access, vol. 13, pp. 23220-23233, 2025, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3536887

work page doi:10.1109/access.2025.3536887 2025
[20]

Results from Cryo-PoF: Power over fiber for fundamental and applied physics at cryogenic temperature

M. Torti et al, "Results from Cryo-PoF: Power over fiber for fundamental and applied physics at cryogenic temperature", Nucl.Instrum.Meth.A 1068(2024)169753, doi: 10.1016/j.nima.2024.169753 – 15 –

work page doi:10.1016/j.nima.2024.169753 2024

[1] [1]

Power over fiber: a review of replacing copper by fiber in critical applications

J.G. Werthen, S. Widjaja, T.C. Wu, and J. Liu, "Power over fiber: a review of replacing copper by fiber in critical applications", Proc. SPIE 5871, Opt. Tech. for Arming, Safing, Fuzing, and Firing, 58710C (2005)

work page 2005

[2] [2]

Abed Abud, et al

A. Abed Abud, et al. (DUNE collaboration), The DUNE Far Detector Vertical Drift Technology. Technical Design Report, 2024 JINST 19 T08004, doi: 10.1088/1748-0221/19/08/T08004

work page doi:10.1088/1748-0221/19/08/t08004 2024

[3] [3]

Abi, et al

B. Abi, et al. (DUNE collaboration), Long-baseline neutrino oscillation physics potential of the DUNE experiment, Eur. Phys. J. C 80 (2020) 978, doi: 10.1140/epjc/s10052-020-08456-z

work page doi:10.1140/epjc/s10052-020-08456-z 2020

[4] [4]

Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), Far Detector Technical Design Report, Volume II: DUNE Physics,

B. Abi, et al. (DUNE collaboration), Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), Far Detector Technical Design Report. Volume II: DUNE Physics, arXiv:2002.03005

work page arXiv 2002

[5] [5]

Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), Far Detector Technical Design Report, Volume I Introduction to DUNE.JINST2020,15, T08008, [arXiv:physics.ins-det/2002.02967]

B. Abi, et al.(DUNE collaboration), Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), Far Detector Technical Design Report. Volume I: Introduction to DUNE, 2020 JINST 15 T08008, doi: 10.1088/1748-0221/15/08/T08008

work page doi:10.1088/1748-0221/15/08/t08008 2020

[6] [6]

Abi et al

B. Abi et al. (DUNE collaboration), Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), Far Detector Technical Design Report. Volume IV: Far Detector Single-phase Technology, 2020 JINST 15 T08010, doi: 10.1088/1748-0221/15/08/T08010

work page doi:10.1088/1748-0221/15/08/t08010 2020

[7] [7]

Machado et al., The X-ARAPUCA: an improvement of the ARAPUCA device, 2018 JINST 13 C04026, doi: 10.1088/1748-0221/13/04/C04026

A.A. Machado et al., The X-ARAPUCA: an improvement of the ARAPUCA device, 2018 JINST 13 C04026, doi: 10.1088/1748-0221/13/04/C04026

work page doi:10.1088/1748-0221/13/04/c04026 2018

[8] [8]

Matsuura, Recent Advancement in Power-over-Fiber Technologies, Photonics 8 (2021) 335, doi: 10.3390/photonics8080335

M. Matsuura, Recent Advancement in Power-over-Fiber Technologies, Photonics 8 (2021) 335, doi: 10.3390/photonics8080335

work page doi:10.3390/photonics8080335 2021

[9] [9]

Rosolem, Power-Over-Fiber Applications for Telecommunications and for Electric Utilities, in Optical Fiber and Wireless Communications, R

J.B. Rosolem, Power-Over-Fiber Applications for Telecommunications and for Electric Utilities, in Optical Fiber and Wireless Communications, R. Roka, ed., InTech (2017), doi: 10.5772/68088

work page doi:10.5772/68088 2017

[10] [10]

Arroyave et al,Characterization and novel application of power over fiber for electronics in a harsh environment, 2024 JINST 19 P10019, doi: /10.1088/1748-0221/19/10/P10019

M.A. Arroyave et al,Characterization and novel application of power over fiber for electronics in a harsh environment, 2024 JINST 19 P10019, doi: /10.1088/1748-0221/19/10/P10019

work page doi:10.1088/1748-0221/19/10/p10019 2024

[11] [11]

Broadcom, 808-nm High-Power 2W Laser Module, https://docs.broadcom.com/docs/AFBR-POMEK2204-PB

work page

[12] [12]

Cryogenic characterization of FBK NUV-HD-Cryo 3T2 SiPM sensors for the DUNE photon detection system

F. Acerbi et al., "Cryogenic characterization of FBK NUV-HD-Cryo 3T2 SiPM sensors for the DUNE photon detection system", [arXiv:2511.19095] – 14 –

work page arXiv

[13] [13]

Results from Cryo-PoF Project: Power over Fiber at Cryogenic Temperature for Fundamental and Applied Physics

A. Falcone et al. "Results from Cryo-PoF Project: Power over Fiber at Cryogenic Temperature for Fundamental and Applied Physics", Particles 2025, 8, 41, doi: 10.3390/particles8020041

work page doi:10.3390/particles8020041 2025

[14] [14]

Broadcom, AFBR-POC206L Optical Power Converter 6VDC, FC Port, https://docs.broadcom.com/doc/AFBR-POCxxxL-AN

work page

[15] [15]

Cryogenic characterization of Hamamatsu HWB MPPCs for the DUNE photon detection system

M. Andreotti at al., "Cryogenic characterization of Hamamatsu HWB MPPCs for the DUNE photon detection system", JINST 19 (2024) T01007, doi: 10.1088/1748-0221/19/01/T01007

work page doi:10.1088/1748-0221/19/01/t01007 2024

[16] [16]

Cryogenic front-end amplifier design for large SiPM arrays in the DUNE FD1-HD photon detection system

C. Brizzolari et al., "Cryogenic front-end amplifier design for large SiPM arrays in the DUNE FD1-HD photon detection system", JINST 17 (2022) P11017, doi: 10.1088/1748-0221/17/11/P11017

work page doi:10.1088/1748-0221/17/11/p11017 2022

[17] [17]

Front-End Electronics and Optimal Ganging Schemes for Single Photon Detection With Large Arrays of SiPMs in Liquid Argon

P. Carniti et al., "Front-End Electronics and Optimal Ganging Schemes for Single Photon Detection With Large Arrays of SiPMs in Liquid Argon", IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science - vol. 70 - no. 11 - pp. 2524-2531 - Nov. 2023, doi: 10.1109/TNS.2023.3321955

work page doi:10.1109/tns.2023.3321955 2023

[18] [18]

Development of a cryogenic DC-DC Boost Converter: devices characterization and first prototype measurements

N. Gallice et al., "Development of a cryogenic DC-DC Boost Converter: devices characterization and first prototype measurements", 2022 IEEE I2MTC, 1-6, doi: 10.1109/I2MTC48687.2022.9806646

work page doi:10.1109/i2mtc48687.2022.9806646 2022

[19] [19]

DC-DC Boost Converter Design With Analog Feedback Control for Cryogenic Applications

D. Santoro et al., "DC-DC Boost Converter Design With Analog Feedback Control for Cryogenic Applications", IEEE Access, vol. 13, pp. 23220-23233, 2025, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3536887

work page doi:10.1109/access.2025.3536887 2025

[20] [20]

Results from Cryo-PoF: Power over fiber for fundamental and applied physics at cryogenic temperature

M. Torti et al, "Results from Cryo-PoF: Power over fiber for fundamental and applied physics at cryogenic temperature", Nucl.Instrum.Meth.A 1068(2024)169753, doi: 10.1016/j.nima.2024.169753 – 15 –

work page doi:10.1016/j.nima.2024.169753 2024