τ-SPAD: a new red sensitive single-photon counting module

Abstract

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.