Design and Implementation of a Compact Single-Photon Counting Module

Ming Chen,Libo Yuan,Shijie Deng,Xianming Xiong,Hongchang Deng,Chuanxin Teng,Chenghao Li,Houquan Liu,Alan P Morrison

doi:10.3390/electronics9071131

Ming Chen, Libo Yuan + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics9071131

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Abstract

A compact single-photon counting module that can accurately control the bias voltage and hold-off time is developed in this work. The module is a microcontroller-based system which mainly consists of a microcontroller, a programmable negative voltage generator, a silicon-based single-photon avalanche diode, and an integrated active quench and reset circuit. The module is 3.8 cm × 3.6 cm × 2 cm in size and can communicate with the end user and be powered through a USB cable (5 V). In this module, the bias voltage of the single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) is precisely controllable from −14 V ~ −38 V and the hold-off time (consequently the dead time) of the SPAD can be adjusted from a few nanoseconds to around 1.6 μs with a setting resolution of ∼6.5 ns. Experimental results show that the module achieves a minimum dead time of around 28.5 ns, giving a saturation counting rate of around 35 Mcounts/s. Results also show that at a controlled reverse bias voltage of 26.8 V, the dark count rate measured is about 300 counts/s and the timing jitter measured is about 158 ps. Photodetection probability measurements show that the module is suited for detection of visible light from 450 nm to 800 nm with a 40% peak photon detection efficiency achieved at around 600 nm.

Highlights

Single-photon counting techniques have been used in low-light sensing applications such as LIDAR [1,2], quantum key distribution [3], medical imaging technology [4], and 3D imaging technology [5,6]
With the control high-resolution setting of the dead time, intelligent control can be added to the module for detection of the bias voltage and high-resolution setting of the dead time, intelligent control can be added to optimizations under varying environments that greatly improve the single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD)-based photon counting the module for detection optimizations under varying environments that greatly improve the SPADsystem’s robustness
The module consists of a main board, a cubic black allowscoupling couplingofofincident incident light board, a cubic blackpackage, package,and andaafiber fiberadapter adapter that allows light to to thethe board, a cubic black package, and a fiber adapter that allows coupling of incident light to the SPAD