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Ultra-low noise single-photon detector based on Si avalanche photodiode
Yong-Su Kim1, Youn-Chang Jeong, Sebastien Sauge
1Department of Physics, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 790-784, Korea. yskim25@gmail.com
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|October 7, 2011
Summary
Researchers developed a low-noise single-photon detector using silicon avalanche photodiodes. Cooling to -80°C achieved a dark count rate of 5 Hz, with over 50% photon detection efficiency at 806 nm.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Quantum Optics
- Semiconductor Device Physics
Background:
- Single-photon detectors are crucial for quantum information science and low-light imaging.
- Commercial silicon avalanche photodiodes offer a cost-effective solution for photon detection.
- Optimizing detector performance requires careful consideration of operating temperature and quenching scheme.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize a laboratory-assembled single-photon detector.
- To evaluate the performance of commercial silicon avalanche photodiodes for single-photon detection.
- To determine the impact of low temperatures on detector dark count rate and afterpulsing.
Main Methods:
- Assembly of a single-photon detector using PerkinElmer C30902SH and C30921SH silicon avalanche photodiodes.
- Operation in a passively-quenched scheme.
- Temperature-dependent characterization from room temperature down to -80 °C.
- Measurement of dark count rate, afterpulse probability, and photon detection efficiency.
Main Results:
- Achieved a dark count rate as low as 5 Hz at -80 °C.
- Observed increased afterpulsing with decreasing temperature, but overall probability remained low due to long deadtime.
- Measured a photon detection efficiency greater than 50% at 806 nm.
Conclusions:
- Commercial silicon avalanche photodiodes can be configured into effective single-photon detectors.
- Low-temperature operation significantly reduces dark count rates, enabling sensitive measurements.
- The passively-quenched scheme balances dark count reduction with manageable afterpulsing.
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