τ-SPAD: a new red sensitive single-photon counting module
2011
Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs) are valuable detectors in numerous photon counting applications in the fields
of quantum physics, quantum communication, astronomy, metrology and biomedical analytics. They typically feature a
much higher photon detection efficiency than photomultiplier tubes, most importantly in the red to near-infrared range of
the spectrum. Very often SPADs are combined with Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC) electronics for
time-resolved data acquisition and the temporal resolution ("jitter") of a SPAD is therefore one of the key parameters for
selecting a detector. We show technical data and first application results from a new type of red sensitive single photon
counting module ("τ-SPAD"), which is targeted at timing applications, most prominently in the area of Single Molecule
Spectroscopy (SMS). The τ-SPAD photon counting module combines Laser Components' ultra-low noise VLoK silicon
avalanche photodiode with specially developed quenching and readout electronics from PicoQuant. It features an
extremely high photon detection efficiency of 75% at 670 nm and can be used to detect single photons over the 400 nm to
1100 nm wavelength range. The timing jitter of the output of the τ-SPAD can be as low as 350 ps, making it suitable for
time-resolved fluorescence detection applications. First photon coincidence correlation measurements also show that the
typical breakdown flash of SPADs is of comparably low intensity for these new SPADs.
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