The design, construction and performance test results of photon counting detector technology demonstrator based on silicon avalanche photodiodes is reported. This photon counting device have been designed and optimized for extremely high stability of their detection delay with applications in fundamental metrology and optical time transfer in space. The sensor is operated in an active quenching and gating mode. The single shot timing resolution is better than 25 ps rms over entire active area. Its detection delay is stable within 1 ps over several days of operation. All components in demonstrator have radiation resistant equivalents.

Date Published: 2 October 2014
PDF: 5 pages
Proc. SPIE 9218, Earth Observing Systems XIX, 921820 (2 October 2014); doi: 10.1117/12.2062592

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 9218:
Earth Observing Systems XIX
James J. Butler; Xiaoxiong (Jack) Xiong; Xingfa Gu, Editor(s)