About

Vera Gorfinkel is an Associate Professor at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Stony Brook University. Her research focuses on semiconductor devices, including microwave and optoelectronics. She is involved in exploring the properties and applications of semiconductor materials and devices, contributing to advancements in the field of electronic and photonic systems.

Research topics

• Optoelectronics
• Materials science
• Optics
• Physics
• Computer science

Selected publications

• Enhancing the Linear Dynamic Range in Multi-Channel Single Photon Detector Beyond 7OD

  IEEE Sensors Journal · 2015-08-21 · 8 citations

  articleSenior author

  We present design, implementation, and characterization of a single photon detector based on 32-channel photomultiplier tube (PMT) sensor (model H7260-20, Hamamatsu). The developed high-speed electronics enables the photon counting with linear dynamic range (LDR) up to $10^{8}$ count/s per detector's channel. The experimental characterization and Monte Carlo simulations showed that in the single-photon counting mode the LDR of the PMT sensor is limited by photon pulsewidth (current pulse) of 900 ps and a substantial decrease of amplitudes of current pulses for count rates exceeding $10^{8}$ count/s. The multi-channel architecture of the detector and the developed firm/software allow further expansion of the dynamic range of the device by 32-fold using appropriate beam shaping. The developed single-photon counting detector was tested for the detection of fluorescence labeled microbeads in capillary flow.

  PublisherDOI

• Multi-Color Single Photon Detection With Enhanced Linearity

  IEEE Sensors Journal · 2015-11-10

  articleSenior author

  A new method for multi-color single photon detection with an enhanced linearity is proposed. Due to the use of the multi-channel single photon detection in conjunction with a novel approach to the post processing of the detected signal, the method provides up to an order of magnitude enhancement of the detection linearity and enables an accurate determination of color composition of fluorescence-labeled micro-objects. Application of the new method for the detection of fluorescent microbeads moving in a microfluidic channel is presented.

  PublisherDOI

• Corrigendum to “Detection of multi-color fluorescent objects with single photon spectrometer” [Biosensors and Bioelectronics Volume 39, Issue 1, 15 January 2013, Pages 152–155]

  Biosensors and Bioelectronics · 2015-10-23

  erratumSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Detection of multi-color fluorescent objects with single photon spectrometer

  Biosensors and Bioelectronics · 2012-07-20 · 6 citations

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Analysis of DNA sequencing systems based on capillary electrophoresis

  Technical Physics · 2008-06-01 · 2 citations

  articleSenior author

  A method for characterization and optimization of DNA sequencing systems based on capillary electrophoresis is proposed. A model is developed that relates the read length of a sequencing run and the parameters of DNA sequencing systems such as the properties of the separation medium, capillary length, injection time, concentration of the injected DNA sample, detection sensitivity, system noise, and the illumination power. The optimization of DNA sequencing systems will allow determination of optimum regimes for preparation, injection, and separation of DNA samples needed for achieving a read length required. The method proposed is applied to the characterization of capillary-electrophoretic DNA sequencing systems based on single-photon detection.

  PublisherDOI

• Ultra sensitive sensor with enhanced dynamic range for high speed detection of multi-color fluorescence radiation

  Biosensors and Bioelectronics · 2008-01-21 · 4 citations

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Silicon photomultiplier: Detector for highly sensitive detection of fluorescence signals

  2008-05-01 · 7 citations

  articleSenior author

  We demonstrate use of silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) in single photon counting mode for detection of very weak laser induced fluorescence (LIF). Detection of LIF in DNA-sequencing has been performed with three different commercially available SiPMs.

  PublisherDOI

• Single photon spectrometer for high speed detection of multi-color fluorescence radiation

  2008-05-01

  articleSenior author

  This paper describes design of the new sensor system for fluorescence detection applications. Based on single photon detection technique proposed system has unique combination of characteristics - high detection speed and wide linearity dynamic range.

  PublisherDOI

• Single Photon Counting Module Based on Large Area APD and Novel Logic Circuit for Quench and Reset Pulse Generation

  IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics · 2007-01-01 · 8 citations

  articleSenior author

  We present the design, implementation, and characterization of a single-photon counting module (SPCM) based on large-area avalanche photodiode (APD) and new logic circuit based on TTL integrated circuits (ICs) for generating precise quench and reset delays. Low dark count rate, high linearity of 2 MHz, maximum dynamic range of 12 MHz, and minimum dead time of 35 ns have been achieved with 0.2 mm peltier-cooled single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) [model C30902S-DTC, Perkin Elmer Optoelectronics (PKI)]. The developed module was fiberized and tested for the detection of fluorescently labeled DNA sequences. Detection sensitivity at the level of single fluorescent molecule has been demonstrated.

  PublisherDOI

• Electrokinetic injection of DNA from gel micropads: Basis for coupling polony technology with CE separation

  Electrophoresis · 2007-10-05 · 6 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  We propose a novel method for electrokinetic injection of DNA samples into capillaries from nanoliter gel micropads, deposited on glass slides, which are coated with electroconducting film. Theoretical and experimental proof is presented for the proposed method. The method allows efficient and highly precise injection without physical contact between the gel pad and the capillary. Read length of more than 700 bp at Q20 has been reproducibly demonstrated in fused-silica capillaries using the proposed injection technique. Based on the obtained results we discuss a novel DNA sequencing system which combines DNA amplification and cycle sequencing in arrays of subnanoliter gel micropads and high-throughput electrophoretic separation in monolith multicapillary arrays.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• NIH Grant R21HG003717

  NIH · $1.5M · 2008

Frequent coauthors

• Serge Luryi

  Stony Brook University

  46 shared

• Olga Kosobokova

  Stony Brook University

  20 shared

• Dmitri Gavrilov

  19 shared

• Boris Gorbovitski

  16 shared

• Mikhail V. Kisin

  Faro Technologies (United States)

  15 shared

• Gregory Belenky

  Stony Brook University

  10 shared

• Georgiy Gudkov

  Stony Brook University

  10 shared

• Andriy Tsupryk

  Stony Brook University

  9 shared

Labs

• Electrical and Computer Engineering, Stony Brook UniversityPI