High-detection probability broadband single-photon counting receivers

This paper reports the demonstration of single photon counting receivers with pulse detection efficiency as high as 68% for 2 photons and single photon counting probabilities as high as 44% at 1550-nm, 1 MHz rate and room temperature and with linear-mode (below the breakdown voltage), high speed response in the 450-1700 nm spectral band. The developed single photon counting receiver is based on Epitaxial Technologies' ultra high gain (>300000), low excess noise, linear-mode APDs, which have been fabricated in dimensions ranging from 25 to 200-μm and array formats up to 32 x 32.