High gain and low excess noise near infrared single photon avalanche detector arrays

摘要

We have designed and developed a new family of photodetectors and arrays with Internal Discrete Amplification (IDA) mechanism for the realization of very high gain and low excess noise factor in the visible and near infrared spectral regions. These devices surpass many limitations of the Single Photon Avalanche Photodetectors such as ultra low excess noise factor, very high gain, lower reset time (< 200 ns). These devices are very simple to operate in the non-gated mode under a constant do bias voltage. Because of its unique characteristics of self-quenching and self-recovery, no external quenching circuit is needed. This unique feature of self quenching and self-recovery makes it simple to less complex readout integrated circuit to realize large format detector arrays. In this paper, we present the discrete amplification design approach used for the development of self reset, high gain photodetector arrays in the near infrared wavelength region. The demonstrated device performance far exceeds any available solid state Photodetectors in the near infrared wavelength range. These devices are ideal for researchers in the field of spectroscopy, industrial and scientific instrumentation, Ladar, quantum cryptography, night vision and other military, defense and aerospace applications.