Avalanche Photodiodes Count Individual Photons

UK43-0350

Medical technology and diagnostics are realising an increasing importance in the detection of even the smallest amounts of light. In principle, photon multiplier tubes (PMTs) can be used, however, they are sensitive to magnetic fields and require a high operating voltage. Avalanche photodiodes are particularly suitable as not only are they cheaper but the design is compact, they have a longer lifetime, good time resolution, they need a lower operating voltage and are insensitive to magnetic fields.

Our SAP500 series is based on a reach-through structure featuring excellent quantum efficiency, extremely low noise, and low dark current.  The avalanche photodiode is operated in Geiger mode in order to be able to detect individual photons. It is operated at a voltage above the breakdown voltage, VR>VBR.  The component has an active area of 500 µm and comes in a hermetically-sealed TO-46 housing with an optional single-stage thermoelectric cooler (TO-37) or two-stage TEC in a TO-8 housing.

The new SAP500 series is particularly suitable for applications in which the weakest light signals, down to the individual photons, have to be quantified and timely resolved, for example, LIDAR, spectroscopy, fluorescence measurement or photon counting.

Datasheet:

Further product information:
Silicon APDs for Photon Counting

Manufacturer:
LASER COMPONENTS Detector Group