Development and characterization of an 8×8 SPAD-array module for gigacount per second applications.
Francesco Ceccarelli1, Angelo Gulinatti1, Ivan Labanca1
1Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32 - 20133 Milano, Italy.
Summary
A new 8x8 Single-Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) array module offers high performance for photon counting. This detector achieves 49% efficiency and low dark counts, enabling faster measurements in applications like fluorescence spectroscopy.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Detector Technology
- Applied Physics
- Spectroscopy Instrumentation
Background:
- Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs) are crucial for high-performance single-photon counting applications.
- Existing SPADs face limitations in measurement time for applications like single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy and require large-area detectors for fields such as astronomy.
- There is a need for advanced SPAD modules capable of high parallelism and high count rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a novel 8x8 SPAD array module for advanced single-photon detection.
- To optimize detector performance in terms of Photon Detection Efficiency (PDE) and Dark Count Rate (DCR).
- To enable faster measurements and higher photon rate detection through multi-spot and combined operation modes.
Main Methods:
- Development of a new single-photon detection module utilizing an 8x8 SPAD array fabricated with dedicated silicon technology.
- Optimization of detector performance parameters including PDE, DCR, afterpulsing probability, and crosstalk.
- Characterization of the module in two distinct operational modes: multi-spot configuration and combined pixel mode.
Main Results:
- The developed SPAD array module achieves a 49% detection efficiency at 550 nm and a maximum dark count rate of 2 kcount/s across the array.
- The multi-spot configuration allows simultaneous acquisition of 64 optical signals, significantly reducing measurement times.
- The combined mode enables detection of up to 2 Gcount/s, offering an extended dynamic range and photon number resolving capabilities.
Conclusions:
- The new 8x8 SPAD array module provides a significant advancement in single-photon detection technology.
- Its optimized performance and flexible operational modes address key limitations in current applications, including fluorescence spectroscopy and astronomy.
- This module offers a promising solution for applications demanding high parallelism, high count rates, and enhanced dynamic range.
Keywords:
Array detectorsSingle-Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs)gigacount ratephoton countingphoton number resolvingMore Related Videos
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