Weak avalanche discrimination for gated-mode single-photon avalanche photodiodes

Avalanche Photodiodes As Single Photon Detectors

Single Photon Avalanche Photodiodes for Near-Infrared Photon Counting

InP-based single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) have proven to be the most practical solution currently available for many applications requiring high-performance photon counting at near-infrared wavelengths between 1.0 and 1.6 μm. We describe recent progress in the design, characterization, and modeling of InP-based SPADs, particularly with respect to the dark count rate vs. photon detection ...

Avalanche photodiodes and quenching circuits for single-photon detection.

Avalanche photodiodes, which operate above the breakdown voltage in Geiger mode connected with avalanche-quenching circuits, can be used to detect single photons and are therefore called singlephoton avalanche diodes SPAD's. Circuit configurations suitable for this operation mode are critically analyzed and their relative merits in photon counting and timing applications are assessed. Simple pa...

Performance of InGaAs/InP Avalanche Photodiodes as Gated-Mode Photon Counters.

We investigate the performance of separate absorption multiplication InGaAs/InP avalanche photodiodes as single-photon detectors for 1.3- and 1.55-mum wavelengths. First we study afterpulses and choose experimental conditions to limit this effect. Then we compare the InGaAs/InP detector with a germanium avalanche photodiode; the former shows a lower dark-count rate. The effect of operating temp...

Photon counting techniques with silicon avalanche photodiodes.

The properties of avalanche photodiodes and associated electronics required for photon counting in the Geiger and the sub-Geiger modes are reviewed. When the Geiger mode is used, there are significant improvements reported in overall photon detection efficiencies (approaching 70% at 633 nm), and a timing jitter (under 200 ps) is achieved with passive quenching at high overvoltages (20-30 V). Th...