Single photon counting for 1300-1600 nm using Peltier cooled and passively quenched InGaAs avalanche photodiodes

Summary form only given. Within this work we study single photon counting using passively quenched InGaAs avalanche photodiodes. Continuous operation is favourable for applications such as light fluctuation studies, rangefinding and OTDR. We would also like to build modules that can operate in the field and thus concentrate on temperatures easily achieved by Peltier cooling T>200 K. We report the comparative performance of detectors from NEC, EG&G and Fujitsu. Data will be presented comparing dark counts, quantum efficiency, timing jitter and afterpulsing probabilities for the various devices and temperatures down to 200 K. We find the best devices can show noise equivalent powers reaching 10/sup -15/ W/Hz/sup 1/2/.