Single photon detection module for multi-channel detection of weak fluorescence signals

Abstract

Single photon counting is the most sensitive method for detection of weak signals. However, it has rarely been used in DNA sequencing applications because of its complexity. We present a fiberized 16-channel single photon detection (SPD) module based on avalanche photo diodes (APD). The diodes are cooled at -20 °C and the average dark count is 700 c/s with APD operating at 10V over-voltage. The proposed system uses active quenching based on basic NAND gates and delay integrated circuits (ICs) and is compact in size, robust, easily portable and requires only 120Vac supply for its operation. The fiberization of the diodes using standard components allows the connection of this system to any other system using fibers with FC connectors with up to 400μm core diameters. Comparative performance with superior commercially available photon counting modules has been obtained. The SPD module has been successfully used for fluorescence detection of weak signals in a DNA sequencing instrument and hence the suitability of large active area APD model for DNA sequencing has been verified experimentally.